Elijah Gift joins Eibar on loan for the season

Athletic have arranged the loan exit of Elijah Gift to Eibar, sealing the move on the penultimate day of the transfer window, so the winger can play the 2026-27 season with the Armeros, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Gift had taken part in the Athletic first-team pre-season, featuring in four friendlies. He started one match (Derio) and came on in the second half in three others (Leioa, Sestao and Eibar). After that, he returned to the reserve set-up. The writing was already on the wall when he wasn’t even among the matchday squad for the visit to Zamora (1-1) in the first matchday of Primera RFEF, something Mundo Deportivo notes as evidence his departure was likely.

A coaching match-up

The key detail is the relationship with Jokin Aranbarri. The coach previously led the Bilbao Athletic in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, meaning he already knows Gift well and can guide him within the same technical expectations.

A move to earn minutes

For Athletic, the loan is a way to give the winger more competitive playing time while he continues his development, especially in a first-team group that includes several options on both flanks. For Eibar, the addition brings a young profile with Athletic’s training background, aiming to contribute in the Segunda División, according to Mundo Deportivo.