The Basque midfielder, who arrived on loan in January and is now a permanent player for the blue-and-white club, highlights the atmosphere at the RCDE Stadium and the treatment he has received.
Urko González de Zárate has found the perfect stage to relaunch his career at RCD Espanyol. The Vitoria pivot, who arrived on loan from Real Sociedad in January 2025, has become a key player for the team and is now a permanent member of the club. In an interview with the newspaper 'AS', the 25-year-old player did not hold back in praising his current team.
“Playing for Espanyol is amazing,” Urko stated emphatically, valuing “the fans, the stadium, what the club is, and the club's staff.” The midfielder acknowledged that when he arrived in Barcelona he was “down” and that Espanyol came along “at a time when I was struggling,” thanking the Catalan club for the trust they placed in him.
Last season, the blue-and-white '4' was the fourth most used outfield player by Manolo González, accumulating 2,735 minutes across all competitions. Only Omar El Hilali (2,918'), Carlos Romero (3,195'), and Leandro Cabrera (3,330') surpassed that figure. This statistic reflects the importance he has gained in the plans of the Galician coach.
Urko also had words for Brazilian Gabriel Moscardo, signed this summer from Paris Saint-Germain and with whom he shares a position in midfield. “He’s a very young lad (only 20 years old) who has already been playing in Europe for three years. Not everyone can do that. In training, you can see he’s a very good player,” praised the Vitorian.
The footballer, who made his Primera División debut with Real Sociedad in 2020, recalled that he had already been called up with the San Sebastián team at the RCDE Stadium, although he did not play. “It’s true that the fans are passionate and the stadium is very beautiful. I was also surprised by the community here,” he noted.
With these statements, Urko González makes it clear that his adaptation to Espanyol has been complete and that he feels valued in a club where he has regained the confidence he lost in San Sebastián. The midfielder, who has won over the Espanyol fans with his commitment and good play, now faces the challenge of establishing himself in the elite and helping the team achieve its goals.
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