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Aymeric Laporte returns to Athletic Bilbao after leaving the club in 2018 Athletic Bilbao have signed Spain defender Aymeric Laporte from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr after Fifa changed its initial decision and approved the transfer. The La Liga club originally tried to bring in the 31-year-old on 1 September but the move was not completed before the transfer deadline. The Spanish football federation (RFEF) then asked the world governing body to make an exception to its rules to allow a move to go through but the request was denied. It sought to overturn the decision - the request was then granted. Spanish media said Al-Nassr had not filed the details of the transfer online into Fifa's transfer matching system. Former Manchester City player Laporte made more than 200 appearances in his first spell at the Basque club between 2012 and 2018. "Athletic Club would like to report that Fifa has authorised the RFEF to obtain the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) from the Saudi Arabian football federation, " said Athletic in a statement. "Once the ITC is issued, Aymeric Laporte can be registered with Athletic Club. " Laporte spent five years at City, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League, before moving to Al-Nassr in 2023. He has made 40 appearances for Spain and was part of their Euro 2024 winning team. Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast 'I don't have anything to prove' - Postecoglou Chelsea face 74 charges over agent payments Man Utd lose Champions League qualifier first leg Preview the riotous new drama from the creator of Happy Valley Wayne Rooney on Premier League drama and wild career moments It's 1986 and the big news is happening behind the camera. .. Should we be eating breakfast? Auld enemies to old news, but Scotland aim to reignite rivalry Could protests lead to Vuelta being abandoned? Fan takes catch despite being on crutches. Video Fan takes catch despite being on crutches 'Five guys with balaclavas' - ex-Liverpool defender Wisdom on being stabbed In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week The must-watch events at the World Championships What Spence's England milestone means for Muslims The Whole 10 Yards. Video The Whole 10 Yards 'Playing perfectly' - how does Alcaraz rank v men's tennis legends at 22? 'I want to change the game' - meet Black Ferns star Miller The wonderkids who didn't make it 'I pretended to be Owen on the street - but you can't compare us' 'Take back little Molly' - Mc Cann takes pay cut to box Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.