Player Profile
- Name
- Mikel Merino
- Squad number
- 23
- Born
- June 22, 1996
- National team
- Spain
Spain international midfielder Mikel joined at the start of the season following a stellar campaign for both club and country, culminating in winning the European Championships with his national team in Germany.
The powerful, athletic midfielder was also an integral part of the Real Sociedad side, and in fact he won more duels (326) than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues during 2023/24.
Able to operate in a variety of midfield roles, Mikel is comfortable with the ball at his feet in tight spaces, while also posing a considerable aerial threat.
He started his career at Osasuna – where his father had also played – in the Segunda Division before joining Borussia Dortmund and winning the German Cup under Thomas Tuchel in 2016/17.
He spent the following campaign at Newcastle United, initially on loan, and made 25 appearances for the Magpies, scoring one goal – a headed winner against Crystal Palace at St. James’ Park in October 2017 – before joining Sociedad in the summer of 2018. He was named Player of the Match as the Basque club won the Copa del Rey in 2020 and made 242 appearances in total, scoring 27 goals.
A full international since 2020, Mikel was a standout performer at Euro 2024, featuring in every game for Spain and scoring the 119th-minute winner–a header from Dani Olmo’s cross – against Germany in the quarter-final.
