Jamie Carragher presented with rare award only one other English player has received

Jamie Carragher has been presented an award by Spanish side Athletic Bilbao for his status as a one-club man.

The Basque club have turned this into a regular award, and Carragher becomes just the second player to represent England to win the award after Matt Le Tissier.

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Carragher was presented with a special Bilbao shirt
The now-Sky Sports pundit has been named their 2025 One Club Man after a stellar career with Liverpool.

He made his professional debut for the Reds in 1996 before retiring in 2013, notching up 737 appearances and four goals.

The defender played a crucial role in the Champions League-winning team of the 2004/05 Rafael Benitez side, and at a special ceremony, Carragher was presented with a Bilbao shirt, and he was even introduced to the San Mames crowd ahead of the LaLiga side’s game against Girona on Tuesday.

The ground was full as Carragher came out and received a standing ovation and was also given a little trophy.

He said: “It was truly special to play for Liverpool throughout my entire career.

“I started very young, at 18, and that was my goal.

“Every footballer has a different story and a different career path. Many have fantastic journeys, playing for many clubs and living in different countries.

“However, being able to say that you have only played in one place is fantastic and fits in with the tradition of Athletic Club.

“More important than being a One Club Man is sharing these values, so for me it is an honour and I feel very proud.”

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Carragher was delighted to receive the award at a special presentationCredit: Getty

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Carragher was treated to an outstanding reception
Speaking about it further, he said: “The excitement you feel playing for your hometown club is incredible, just like what Athletic players feel.

“Football is life in Liverpool as well as here in Bilbao, which is why the connection between the two is so special. Many people talk about the European finals we won. They are very famous matches and I am very proud that people know about them.

“Even so, when I look back on my career, I feel that my greatest achievement is being a One Club Man, especially at a club as great as Liverpool.

“Very few players can say that. In a team sport like football, I don’t think any trophy or medal is more valuable than that.”

Why do Bilbao have this award?

The club established this award in 2015 with the idea to recognise players who dedicated their entire career to one club.

Bilbao are known for only using players from the Basque region, and are a club that value loyalty and commitment.

As a result, they thought it would be appropriate to award the rare footballers who stay with one team throughout their career.

It is also unique to find a club that hands out any of their own awards to other players not from their club.

Given their connection to the Basque region, they feel footballers who do dedicate their careers to one club deserve special recognition.

Specifically on Carragher, Igor San Román, member of the Board of Directors said: “Athletic Club cannot be understood without understanding our values.

“Since 1898, this club has championed a model that is unique in the world. This award reflects who we are.

“Jamie 100 per cent embodies the values and principles on which the award is based and which we have managed to promote over the course of our 127-year history: loyalty to a club, loyalty to colours and, above all, loyalty to the community it represents.

“There is one enduring message, which is that loyalty is not dead. That is the message we want our players to convey.”

Other recipients of the prize in previous years include AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini, Barcelona legend Carles Puyol as well as Manchester United and England icon Ryan Giggs.