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Mikel Merino

Updated: Wikipedia source

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino Zazón (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmikel meˈɾino]; born 22 June 1996) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays mainly as a midfielder and occasionally as a striker for Premier League club Arsenal and the Spain national team. He began his career with Osasuna, and had short spells at Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United before signing for Real Sociedad in 2018, winning the 2019–20 Copa del Rey with the club while totalling 242 appearances and 27 goals. In August 2024, he joined Premier League side Arsenal. Merino represented Spain in two European Under-21 Championships, winning the 2019 edition. He made his senior debut in 2020, being selected for Euro 2024 and winning the tournament.

Infobox

2014
Osasuna B
2017
→ Newcastle United (loan)
2021
Spain Olympic
Full name
Mikel Merino Zazón
Date of birth
(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth
Pamplona, Spain
Height
1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position
Attacking midfielder
Current team
Arsenal
Number
23
Years
Team
2014–2016
Osasuna
2016–2017
Borussia Dortmund
2017–2018
Newcastle United
2018–2024
Real Sociedad
2024–
Arsenal
2014–2015
Spain U19
2016–2019
Spain U21
2020–
Spain
Position(s)
mw- .inline, .inline dl, .inline ol, .inline ul, dl dl, dl ol, dl ul, ol dl, ol ol dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd ol li Midfielderstriker

Tables

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition · Career statistics › Club
Division
Division
Club
Division
Season
Apps
League
Goals
League
Apps
League
Goals
National cup
Apps
National cup
Goals
League cup
Apps
League cup
Goals
Europe
Apps
Europe
Goals
Other
Apps
Other
Goals
Osasuna B
Osasuna B
Club
Osasuna B
Season
2013–14
League
Tercera División
League
5
League
0
National cup
—
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Europe
5
Europe
0
Osasuna
Osasuna
Club
Osasuna
Season
2014–15
League
Segunda División
League
29
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Europe
—
Europe
29
Other
1
2015–16
2015–16
Club
2015–16
Season
Segunda División
League
34
League
4
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
4
Europe
3
Europe
38
Other
7
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
63
League
5
League
0
League
0
National cup
—
National cup
—
League cup
4
League cup
3
Europe
67
Europe
8
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Club
Borussia Dortmund
Season
2016–17
League
Bundesliga
League
8
League
0
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
0
Europe
0
Europe
0
Other
0
Other
9
Total
0
Newcastle United (loan)
Newcastle United (loan)
Club
Newcastle United (loan)
Season
2017–18
League
Premier League
League
7
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
0
League cup
0
Europe
—
Europe
—
Other
7
Other
0
Newcastle United
Newcastle United
Club
Newcastle United
Season
Premier League
League
17
League
1
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Europe
18
Europe
1
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
24
League
1
League
1
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
0
League cup
—
League cup
—
Europe
25
Europe
1
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad
Club
Real Sociedad
Season
2018–19
League
La Liga
League
29
League
3
National cup
3
National cup
1
League cup
—
League cup
—
Europe
—
Europe
32
Other
4
2019–20
2019–20
Club
2019–20
Season
La Liga
League
36
League
5
League
7
National cup
1
National cup
—
League cup
—
League cup
—
Europe
43
Europe
6
2020–21
2020–21
Club
2020–21
Season
La Liga
League
26
League
2
League
1
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
8
League cup
0
Europe
1
Europe
0
Other
36
Other
2
2021–22
2021–22
Club
2021–22
Season
La Liga
League
34
League
3
League
3
National cup
0
National cup
—
League cup
6
League cup
1
Europe
—
Europe
43
Other
4
2022–23
2022–23
Club
2022–23
Season
La Liga
League
33
League
2
League
3
National cup
1
National cup
—
League cup
7
League cup
0
Europe
—
Europe
43
Other
3
2023–24
2023–24
Club
2023–24
Season
La Liga
League
32
League
5
League
6
National cup
1
National cup
—
League cup
7
League cup
2
Europe
—
Europe
45
Other
8
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
190
League
20
League
23
League
4
National cup
—
National cup
28
League cup
3
League cup
1
Europe
0
Europe
242
Other
27
Arsenal
Arsenal
Club
Arsenal
Season
2024–25
League
Premier League
League
28
League
7
National cup
1
National cup
0
League cup
3
League cup
0
Europe
12
Europe
2
Other
—
Other
44
Total
9
2025–26
2025–26
Club
2025–26
Season
Premier League
League
16
League
3
League
0
National cup
0
National cup
2
League cup
0
League cup
6
Europe
2
Europe
—
Other
24
Other
5
Total
Total
Club
Total
Season
44
League
10
League
1
League
0
National cup
5
National cup
0
League cup
18
League cup
4
Europe
—
Europe
68
Other
14
Career total
Career total
Club
Career total
Season
334
League
36
League
26
League
4
National cup
5
National cup
0
League cup
46
League cup
7
Europe
5
Europe
3
Other
416
Other
50
Club
Season
League
National cup
League cup
Europe
Other
Total
Division
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Apps
Goals
Osasuna B
2013–14
Tercera División
5
0
—
—
—
—
5
0
Osasuna
2014–15
Segunda División
29
1
0
0
—
—
—
29
1
2015–16
Segunda División
34
4
0
0
—
—
4
3
38
7
Total
63
5
0
0
—
—
4
3
67
8
Borussia Dortmund
2016–17
Bundesliga
8
0
1
0
—
0
0
0
0
9
0
Newcastle United (loan)
2017–18
Premier League
7
0
0
0
0
0
—
—
7
0
Newcastle United
Premier League
17
1
1
0
—
—
—
18
1
Total
24
1
1
0
0
0
—
—
25
1
Real Sociedad
2018–19
La Liga
29
3
3
1
—
—
—
32
4
2019–20
La Liga
36
5
7
1
—
—
—
43
6
2020–21
La Liga
26
2
1
0
—
8
0
1
0
36
2
2021–22
La Liga
34
3
3
0
—
6
1
—
43
4
2022–23
La Liga
33
2
3
1
—
7
0
—
43
3
2023–24
La Liga
32
5
6
1
—
7
2
—
45
8
Total
190
20
23
4
—
28
3
1
0
242
27
Arsenal
2024–25
Premier League
28
7
1
0
3
0
12
2
—
44
9
2025–26
Premier League
16
3
0
0
2
0
6
2
—
24
5
Total
44
10
1
0
5
0
18
4
—
68
14
Career total
334
36
26
4
5
0
46
7
5
3
416
50
Appearances and goals by national team and year[67] · Career statistics › International
Spain
Spain
National team
Spain
Year
2020
Apps
6
Goals
0
2021
2021
National team
2021
Year
5
Apps
0
2023
2023
National team
2023
Year
8
Apps
1
2024
2024
National team
2024
Year
12
Apps
1
2025
2025
National team
2025
Year
10
Apps
8
Total
Total
National team
Total
Year
41
Apps
10
National team
Year
Apps
Goals
Spain
2020
6
0
2021
5
0
2023
8
1
2024
12
1
2025
10
8
Total
41
10
List of international goals scored by Mikel Merino · Career statistics › International
1
1
No.
1
Date
12 September 2023
Venue
Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes, Granada, Spain
Cap
17
Opponent
Cyprus
Score
2–0
Result
6–0
Competition
UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
2
2
No.
2
Date
5 July 2024
Venue
MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany
Cap
26
Opponent
Germany
Score
2–1
Result
2–1 (a.e.t.)
Competition
UEFA Euro 2024
3
3
No.
3
Date
20 March 2025
Venue
De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Cap
32
Opponent
Netherlands
Score
2–2
Result
2–2
Competition
2024–25 UEFA Nations League A
4
4
No.
4
Date
5 June 2025
Venue
MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany
Cap
34
Opponent
France
Score
2–0
Result
5–4
Competition
2025 UEFA Nations League Finals
5
5
No.
5
Date
4 September 2025
Venue
Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria
Cap
36
Opponent
Bulgaria
Score
3–0
Result
3–0
Competition
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
6
6
No.
6
Date
7 September 2025
Venue
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium, Konya, Turkey
Cap
37
Opponent
Turkey
Score
2–0
Result
6–0
7
7
No.
7
Date
3–0
8
8
No.
8
Date
5–0
9
9
No.
9
Date
14 October 2025
Venue
José Zorrilla Stadium, Valladolid, Spain
Cap
39
Opponent
Bulgaria
Score
1–0
Result
4–0
10
10
No.
10
Date
2–0
No.
Date
Venue
Cap
Opponent
Score
Result
Competition
1
12 September 2023
Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes, Granada, Spain
17
Cyprus
2–0
6–0
UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
2
5 July 2024
MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany
26
Germany
2–1
2–1 (a.e.t.)
UEFA Euro 2024
3
20 March 2025
De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands
32
Netherlands
2–2
2–2
2024–25 UEFA Nations League A
4
5 June 2025
MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany
34
France
2–0
5–4
2025 UEFA Nations League Finals
5
4 September 2025
Vasil Levski National Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria
36
Bulgaria
3–0
3–0
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
6
7 September 2025
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium, Konya, Turkey
37
Turkey
2–0
6–0
7
3–0
8
5–0
9
14 October 2025
José Zorrilla Stadium, Valladolid, Spain
39
Bulgaria
1–0
4–0
10
2–0

References

  1. Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup, Copa del Rey
  2. Includes EFL Cup
  3. Appearances in Segunda División play-offs
  4. Includes appearance in 2020 Copa del Rey final (played in 2021)
  5. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  6. Appearance in Supercopa de España
  7. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  8. "Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed"
    https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828
  9. Faro de Vigo
    https://www.farodevigo.es/celta-de-vigo/2024/07/05/mikel-merino-goleador-victoria-espana-105149142.html
  10. "Mikel Merino"
    https://www.premierleague.com/players/19778/Mikel-Merino/overview
  11. Infobae
    https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/08/27/mikel-merino-abandona-la-real-sociedad-y-firma-con-el-arsenal/
  12. Diario de Navarra
    http://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/2014/03/17/mikel_merino_noveno_juvenil_debutar_151685_1022.html
  13. "El equipo también responde"
    http://osasuna.es/noticia/_/7533/23-08-2014-el-equipo-tambin-responde.html
  14. Marca
    http://www.marca.com/2014/12/21/futbol/2adivision/1419192760.html
  15. Diario de Navarra
    http://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/osasuna/2015/01/31/mikel_merino_llevara_dorsal_kenan_kodro_9_193453_1027.html
  16. El Diario Vasco
    https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/mikel-merino-fichaje-perfil-20180712182743-nt.html
  17. Diario de Navarra
    http://www.diariodenavarra.es/noticias/deportes/futbol/osasuna/2016/05/22/merino_le_saldre_barato_caro_borussia_centro_jugar_457095_1027.html
  18. Marca
    http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2015_16/promocion_ascenso/semifinal/ida/osa_nas/
  19. Marca
    http://www.marca.com/eventos/marcador/futbol/2015_16/promocion_ascenso/semifinal/vuelta/nas_osa/
  20. "Borussia Dortmund verpflichtet Mikel Merino"
    http://www.bvb.de/News/Uebersicht/Borussia-Dortmund-verpflichtet-Mikel-Merino
  21. "Merino überzeugt als Ballmagnet"
    http://www.sport1.de/fussball/bundesliga/2016/10/mikel-merino-mit-starkem-bundesliga-debuet-fuer-borussia-dortmund
  22. "Newcastle land Mikel Merino on loan from Borussia Dortmund"
    http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3921/transfer-zone/2017/07/28/37388872/newcastle-land-mikel-merino-on-loan-from-borussia-dortmund
  23. "Fix! Dortmunds Merino wechselt zu Newcastle"
    https://www.kicker.de/fix-dortmunds-merino-wechselt-zu-newcastle-702641/artikel
  24. "Mikel Merino signs for Newcastle from Borussia Dortmund in permanent deal"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41607334
  25. "Real Sociedad | La extraña progresión de Mikel Merino"
    https://www.fichajes.com/a4933854601635133372-real-sociedad-la-extrana-progresion-de-mikel-merino
  26. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/21/newcastle-united-crystal-palace-premier-league-match-report
  27. "Latest news: Mikel Merino joins Real Sociedad"
    https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/mikel-merino-joins-real-sociedad
  28. El Correo
    https://www.elcorreo.com/deportes/futbol/liga-primera/mikel-merino-urrutia-20180716154607-nt.html
  29. "La Real Sociedad comienza la campaña venciendo en el Estadio de la Cerámica"
    https://www.laliga.com/laligatv/resumen-partido-villarreal-vs-real-sociedad-j1-laliga-santander-2018-2019
  30. Marca
    https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/cronica/2018/09/21/5ba56420e5fdea61098b4646.html
  31. El Diario Vasco
    https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/merino-zaldua-lesiones-20181002002509-ntvo.html
  32. Marca
    https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-sociedad/2019/02/06/5c59f59622601da73c8b4614.html
  33. "Mikel Merino renueva con la Real Sociedad y Hugo Guillamón con el Valencia"
    https://www.cope.es/deportes/futbol/noticias/mikel-merino-renovado-real-sociedad-2025-20200722_826402
  34. "Barcelona 1–0 Real Sociedad"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51785880
  35. El Diario Vasco
    https://real-sociedad.diariovasco.com/copa-dando-alas-20200309001347-ntvo.html
  36. ""Wherever you are happy is where you want to be""
    https://www.realsociedad.eus/en/news/details/wherever-you-are-happy-is-where-you-want-to-be
  37. Diario AS
    https://en.as.com/en/2021/04/03/football/1617473340_092105.html
  38. El Español
    https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/futbol/20210406/mikel-merino-mvp-copa-rey-fichaje-real/571694229_0.html
  39. Mundo Deportivo
    https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-sociedad/20240601/1002257471/estratosferica-estadistica-top-europa-mikel-merino.html
  40. "Mikel Merino signs for Arsenal on long-term deal"
    https://www.arsenal.com/news/mikel-merino-signs-arsenal-long-term-deal
  41. "Mikel Merino: Arsenal sign Spain midfielder from Real Sociedad in transfer worth up to £31.6m including add-ons"
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13201652/mikel-merino-arsenal-sign-spain-midfielder-from-real-sociedad-in-transfer-worth-up-to-gbp31-6m-including-add-ons
  42. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/30/mikel-merino-injured-first-arsenal-training-session
  43. Daily Mirror
    https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mikel-merino-mikel-arteta-arsenal-33802223
  44. "Arsenal 2–2 Liverpool"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c20g783wwyqt
  45. "Injury update: Kai Havertz"
    https://www.arsenal.com/news/injury-update-kai-havertz
  46. "Merino looks to be the answer for Arteta and Arsenal's striker issues"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd641n2nzpzo
  47. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/15/leicester-arsenal-premier-league-match-report
  48. "Arsenal 3–0 Real Madrid"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cx256773e2yt
  49. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6139804/2025/02/17/merino-centre-forward-arsenal/
  50. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/20/mikel-merino-im-adapting-to-being-a-striker-i-like-the-contact-i-never-back-down
  51. "Why Mikel Merino's forward role is paying off for Arsenal"
    https://www.skysports.com/football/video/33744/13345160/why-mikel-merinos-forward-role-is-paying-off-for-arsenal
  52. "Newcastle 1–2 Arsenal: Late Gabriel and Mikel Merino headers seal win for Mikel Arteta's side to close gap on Liverpool"
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13438480/newcastle-1-2-arsenal-late-gabriel-and-mikel-merino-headers-seal-win-for-mikel-artetas-side-to-close-gap-on-liverpool
  53. "No Gyokeres, no problem – makeshift Merino provides Arsenal 'solution'"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx2ylyppze9o
  54. "Report: Sunderland 2–2 Arsenal"
    https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2025-Nov-08/sunderland-2-2-arsenal-match-report
  55. "Report: Arsenal 4–1 Tottenham Hotspur"
    https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2025-Nov-23/arsenal-4-1-tottenham-hotspur-match-report
  56. "Report: Arsenal 3–1 Bayern Munich"
    https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2025-Nov-26/arsenal-3-1-bayern-munich-match-report
  57. "Match report: Chelsea 1–1 Arsenal"
    https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2025-Nov-30/chelsea-1-1-arsenal-match-report
  58. "Slick Spain too strong for holders Germany"
    https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0257-0ded9ff41e51-e99c993076bb-1000--slick-spain-too-strong-for-holders-germany/
  59. "OFICIAL | Lista de convocados de la Selección española para los partidos de la UEFA Nations League ante Alemania y Ucrania"
    https://www.sefutbol.com/oficial-lista-convocados-seleccion-espanola-partidos-uefa-nations-league-alemania-y-ucrania
  60. "Germany 1–1 Spain: Gayà saves La Roja"
    https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0261-1049ec207594-00942b3dc82a-1000--germany-1-1-spain-gaya-saves-la-roja/
  61. Diario de Burgos
    https://www.diariodeburgos.es/noticia/z6f584adf-e0e6-fb76-668320f83e19b7e5/202309/espana-sigue-por-el-buen-camino
  62. "Euro 2024 squad lists: Hosts Germany, France, Netherlands, England, Scotland, Italy and more"
    https://www.skysports.com/football/news/19692/13137394/euro-2024-squad-lists-hosts-germany-france-netherlands-england-scotland-italy-and-more
  63. Marca
    https://www.marca.com/futbol/eurocopa/cronica/2024/07/05/66880a0746163f41978b45be.html
  64. "Like father, like son. Mikel Merino emulates dad's goal celebration at same stadium at Euro 2024"
    https://apnews.com/article/merino-father-celebration-spain-euro-0b0ae284c713110e30319904e47dcc5b
  65. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5636758/2024/07/14/spain-basque-euro-2024-williams-merino-oyarzabal/
  66. "Junior-senior EURO double roll of honour: Rodri, Morata, Merino, Nacho, Ferran Torres join Chiellini, Iniesta, Henry"
    https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/026b-12bc7e4aa14d-013db974f3a0-1000--junior-senior-euro-double-roll-of-honour-rodri-morata-merin/
  67. "Spain vs Turkey player ratings: Hat-trick hero Mikel Merino leads sensational La Roja to 6–0 victory as Lamine Yamal & Pedri run riot"
    https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/spain-vs-turkey-player-ratings-hat-trick-hero-mikel-merino-leads-6-0-victory-lamine-yamal-pedri-also-run-riot-world-cup-qualifying-rout/blt9e7d6b51a01837b2
  68. "Spain 4–0 Bulgaria"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cd9y1j2dvljt
  69. Diario AS
    https://as.com/futbol/seleccion/el-dilema-merino-f202510-n/
  70. Marca
    http://www.marca.com/2014/09/26/futbol/equipos/osasuna/1411726345.html
  71. Mundo Deportivo
    https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-sociedad/20240601/1002257622/merino-casa-pamplona.html
  72. Okdiario
    https://navarra.okdiario.com/articulo/sociedad/pueblo-navarra-donde-futbolista-pamplones-mikel-merino-disfruto-boda/20240605195019539900.html
  73. Mikel Merino at Soccerway
    https://int.soccerway.com/players/mikel-merino-zazon/362649/
  74. Mikel Merino at EU-Football.info
    https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=30951
  75. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/apr/03/athletic-bilbao-real-sociedad-copa-del-rey-2020-final-match-report
  76. "Spain see off Russia for seventh Under-19 crown"
    https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0253-0d04285e495e-3e467bd54d19-1000--spain-see-off-russia-for-seventh-under-19-crown/
  77. "Spain U21 2–1 Germany U21"
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48812993
  78. "Germany U21 1–0 Spain U21"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40451698
  79. Diario AS
    https://en.as.com/en/2021/08/07/olympic_games/1628315614_315184.html
  80. "Spain 2–1 England"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cp68zzx8x4rt#Report
  81. "Croatia 0–0 Spain (Spain win 5–4 on penalties)"
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65944659
  82. "Spain 1–2 France"
    https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2030761--spain-vs-france/
  83. "Portugal 2–2 Spain (5–3p)"
    https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2044949--portugal-vs-spain/
  84. "Los Premios 'Team Of The Season' de EA SPORTSTM y LaLiga revelan a los mejores 15 jugadores de la temporada"
    https://www.laliga.com/noticias/los-premios-team-of-the-season-de-ea-sportstm-y-laliga-revelan-a-los-mejores-15-jugadores-de-la-temporada
  85. "Oyarzabal and Merino win the LALIGA EA SPORTS Best Play for March"
    https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/oyarzabal-and-merino-win-the-laliga-ea-sports-best-play-for-march
  86. "Mikel Merino named Liga Adelante Player of the Month for June"
    http://www.laliga.es/en/news/mikel-merino-named-liga-adelante-player-of-the-month-for-june
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