 Zubiaurre, who represented Real Sociedad at youth level, was 'presented' as new Athletic Bilbao player in 2005 by the latter's president Fernando Lamikiz, despite still being under contract.He had no permission to rescind his link, which had a year left to run and a buy-out clause of €33 million (the former club had activated an one-season optional extension to his contract, while the latter asserted that he was a free agent).Real insisted that Athletic pay the entire amount, with the player not being allowed to play professional football during the subsequent legal battle; SCD Durango, a regional club, asked permission to field him, but were denied.