Unai Simon stands as one of Spain’s most reliable goalkeepers, representing Athletic Bilbao in La Liga and his national team with consistent performances.
His journey from the Basque youth ranks to European championship glory reflects dedication and natural talent.
In this article, you will know Unai Simon’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Unai Simon’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Unai Simon Mendibil |
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 87-88 kg |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Current Club | Athletic Bilbao |
| Jersey Number | #1 (Athletic Bilbao), #23 (Spain) |
| Net Worth | €2-3 million |
| Salary | €5 million gross per year |
| @unaisimon23 |
Early Career
Unai Simon Mendibil was born on June 11, 1997, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, a city in the Basque Country of Spain.
He grew up in the nearby village of Murgia, where his passion for football began at a young age. Simon started his youth career with local club Aurrera Vitoria, where his natural goalkeeping abilities caught the attention of scouts from Athletic Bilbao.
In 2011, at just 14 years old, he joined Athletic Bilbao’s prestigious youth academy, Lezama, which has a long-standing reputation for developing exceptional talent from the Basque region.
Simon impressed coaches with his reflexes, commanding presence in the box, and exceptional distribution skills. He progressed through various youth categories at Athletic, consistently demonstrating his potential to become a top-tier goalkeeper.
His development accelerated as he moved up the ranks, showcasing maturity beyond his years and a strong work ethic that set him apart from his peers.
The academy’s rigorous training environment helped shape his technical abilities and tactical understanding of the game, laying the foundation for his future professional career.
Professional Career
Simon’s professional breakthrough came gradually but decisively. In 2016, he made the step up to Bilbao Athletic, the club’s B team competing in Segunda División B. His impressive performances for the reserves over two seasons solidified his status as a top prospect.
On September 16, 2017, Simon made his first-team debut for Athletic Bilbao in a La Liga match against Girona, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory. However, his path to becoming the undisputed number one took time and patience.
The 2019-20 season marked Simon’s true breakthrough campaign. At 22 years old, he established himself as Athletic Bilbao’s first-choice goalkeeper, displacing the more experienced Iago Herrerín. His consistent performances earned him recognition beyond club football.
In 2020, he made his debut for the Spanish national team and quickly became a regular fixture in the squad. Simon played a crucial role in Spain’s Euro 2020 campaign and cemented his reputation at Euro 2024, where Spain won the championship with him as the starting goalkeeper.
He signed a contract extension with Athletic Bilbao in August 2024, committing his future to the club until 2029. His career has been defined by loyalty to his boyhood club and steady improvement, making him one of La Liga’s most dependable goalkeepers.
Unai Simon’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Unai Simon’s net worth stands between €2-3 million, built primarily through his professional football career with Athletic Bilbao and endorsement partnerships.
Contract
Simon signed a financially improved five-year contract extension with Athletic Bilbao in August 2024, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2029.
This deal represented a significant upgrade from his previous contract and reflected his growing importance to the team.
The contract includes performance-based bonuses of approximately €500,000, which can increase his annual earnings depending on individual and team achievements.
His loyalty to Athletic Bilbao throughout his career demonstrates his commitment to the Basque club, despite potential interest from other European clubs.
The contract ensures financial security while allowing him to continue developing at a club where he feels valued and integral to their success.
Salary
Under his current contract, Simon earns a gross annual salary of €5 million, translating to approximately €96,154 per week.
This represents a substantial increase from his earlier contracts, when his annual salary was around €1.3 million following his 2020 extension.
His weekly wage of €96,154 places him among the higher earners at Athletic Bilbao, reflecting his status as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper and one of Spain’s leading shot-stoppers.
The salary progression throughout his career mirrors his development from a promising prospect to an established international goalkeeper.
Career Earnings
| Season | Club | Annual Salary (Gross) | Weekly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Athletic Bilbao | €5,000,000 | €96,154 |
| 2024-25 | Athletic Bilbao | €4,280,000 | €82,308 |
| 2023-24 | Athletic Bilbao | €4,280,000 | €82,308 |
| 2022-23 | Athletic Bilbao | €4,350,000 | €83,654 |
| 2021-22 | Athletic Bilbao | €4,280,000 | €82,308 |
| 2020-21 | Athletic Bilbao | €1,300,000 | €25,000 |
Endorsements
Simon has secured endorsement deals with major sports brands, most notably Reusch and Adidas. Reusch, the renowned German goalkeeper glove manufacturer, has been his primary glove sponsor for several years.
He wore the Attrakt Freegel Fusion model during Spain’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign, which Reusch celebrated as a major achievement in their brand history. The gloves feature Reusch Grip Fusion Latex technology, providing weatherproof grip and flexibility that Simon trusts in high-pressure situations.
His visibility as Spain’s number one goalkeeper and his success at major tournaments have enhanced his marketability and opened doors for additional sponsorship opportunities.
Career Stats
| Competition | Season/Period | Appearances | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 2024-25 | 17 | 5 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| La Liga | 2023-24 | 34 | 11 | 38 | 2 | 0 |
| La Liga | 2022-23 | 35 | 10 | 42 | 3 | 0 |
| La Liga | 2021-22 | 34 | 12 | 35 | 3 | 0 |
| La Liga | 2020-21 | 37 | 9 | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| La Liga | 2019-20 | 34 | 12 | 38 | 2 | 1 |
| La Liga | 2018-19 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Spain National Team | 2020-Present | 56+ | 20+ | 45+ | 2 | 0 |
| Athletic Bilbao (Total) | 2017-Present | 244+ | 70+ | 250+ | 15+ | 1 |
FAQs
1. What is Unai Simon’s current salary at Athletic Bilbao?
Unai Simon currently earns €5 million gross per year at Athletic Bilbao, which breaks down to approximately €96,154 per week. He signed this improved contract in August 2024, extending his commitment to the club until June 2029.
2. How old is Unai Simon and when did he start playing professionally?
Unai Simon is 28 years old, born on June 11, 1997, in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. He made his professional debut for Athletic Bilbao’s first team on September 16, 2017, in a La Liga match against Girona at age 20.
3. Did Unai Simon win any major trophies with Spain?
Yes, Unai Simon won the UEFA European Championship with Spain, serving as the team’s starting goalkeeper throughout the tournament. He also won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Spain’s Under-23 squad.
4. What gloves does Unai Simon use during matches?
Simon uses Reusch goalkeeper gloves, specifically the Attrakt Freegel Fusion model from the Shine Bright collection. These gloves feature Reusch Grip Fusion Latex for weatherproof grip, a Freegel Punching Zone for support and flexibility, and an AdaptiveFlex Closure System.
5. When does Unai Simon’s contract with Athletic Bilbao expire?
His current contract with Athletic Bilbao expires on June 30, 2029. He signed a five-year extension in August 2024, demonstrating his loyalty to the Basque club where he developed through the youth academy.
