As Athletic Club prepares for a new chapter under incoming manager Edin Terzic, the club is actively scouting for talent to strengthen its squad for the 2026-27 season. Despite the club’s unique Basque-only recruitment policy, opportunities to acquire promising players still exist.
One such prospect has emerged from Celtic’s youth academy: 15-year-old Zion Pullan. Pullan has demonstrated exceptional skill this season, accumulating an impressive 58 goals and 35 assists for the Scottish club, most recently with their U17 team.
While Pullan has represented Scotland at the U15 level, he has also been called up to Spain’s U15 squad. Born in Tudela, Navarre, he is eligible to join Athletic Club. Reports suggest that Pullan is highly regarded by the club’s hierarchy at Lezama.
Pullan Identified as a Potential Successor to Inaki Williams
Zion Pullan is recognized for his dynamic one-on-one play, his adeptness at exploiting space, and his significant goal-scoring ability. His versatility, capable of playing as a winger or a striker, draws parallels to Athletic Club’s iconic player, Inaki Williams. With Williams now 32 years old, the club’s management hopes to eventually transition Pullan into his role. Athletic could potentially make a move for the Celtic prodigy as early as this summer.
However, Athletic faces competition for Pullan’s signature. The young talent is attracting interest from numerous clubs across Europe. While Celtic may find it challenging to retain their highly-valued academy star, it remains uncertain whether he would ultimately choose to join Athletic. Nevertheless, the club is expected to pursue him if he is identified as their primary target.
