Athletic Bilbao have taken Mikel Balenziaga back from Real Valladolid.

The 25-year-old defender had a buy-back clause inserted in his contract when he left for pastures new in 2011.

"Athletic Club has decided to exercise the clause which allows it to re-sign Mikel Balenziaga, who has been on-loan at Valladolid," read a statement on the club's official website.