*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:26, 18 January 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:39, 15 November 2024 (UTC)
On 23 August 2014, Merino made his first competitive appearance with the first team, starting in a 2–0 home win against Barcelona B in the Segunda División.[6] He scored his first professional goal on 21 December, the winner in a 2–1 away victory over Las Palmas.[7]
Merino was promoted to the main squad on 31 January 2015, being given the number 8 jersey.[8] He was a regular starter in his first year, helping them to narrowly avoid relegation.[9]
In the 2015–16 campaign, Merino scored four goals from 34 appearances as Osasuna finished sixth and reached the promotion play-offs.[10] In that stage's first round, he netted a brace in a 3–1 home win against Gimnàstic de Tarragona,[11] and added another goal in the second leg (3–2 victory).[12]
Borussia Dortmund
On 15 February 2016, Merino signed a five-year deal with Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, which was made effective on 1 July.[13] His first league appearance occurred on 14 October, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Hertha BSC.[14]
Newcastle United
In July 2017, Merino joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan; the Premier League side agreed to a clause obligating them to sign the player permanently, based on a number of appearances.[15][16] On 13 October, this was invoked, and he agreed to a five-year contract.[17]
Merino made 25 competitive appearances for the Magpies.[18] He scored his only goal with a late header in a 1–0 win over Crystal Palace at St James' Park on 21 October 2017,[19] also providing a sole assist.[18]
Real Sociedad
Merino returned to Spain on 12 July 2018, signing a five-year deal with Real Sociedad for an undisclosed fee[20] reported to be €12 million.[21] His first match in La Liga took place on 18 August when he played 59 minutes in a 2–1 win against hosts Villarreal,[22] and his first goal on 21 September won the game at Huesca.[23] Despite struggling initially to adapt to his new team, also dealing with some injury problems, he eventually became a starter,[24][25] scoring four times in 32 fixtures in his first season.[26]
On 7 March 2020, Merino wore the captain's armband for the first time in a 1–0 league defeat away to Barcelona.[27][28] In July, he renewed his contract until 2025.[29]
In the 2023–24 campaign, Merino won the most duels for possession in Europe's top leagues at 326.[32]
Arsenal
Merino returned to the English top division on 27 August 2024, signing a four-year deal at Arsenal for a reported fee of £31.6m.[33][34] In his first training session, he fractured his shoulder in a collision with Gabriel Magalhães and was ruled out for several weeks.[35] He featured in his first match on 1 October, as a substitute in the 2–0 home win against Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League.[36] He scored his first league goal 26 days later, heading home from a free kick in a 2–2 home draw with Liverpool.[37]
Merino was included in the squad for the Euro 2024 finals.[42] In the quarter-final against Germany in Stuttgart, he scored a header from a cross by Dani Olmo in the 119th minute to secure his nation a spot in the semi-finals with a 2–1 win;[43] his celebration after the goal (running around the corner flag) mirrored that of his father after he had done the same for Osasuna in a UEFA Cup fixture at the same stadium in 1991.[44] He also featured in Spain's win in the final where they defeated England 2–1, achieving a continental record of four European championships,[45] and in the process became one of 12 players who won both youth and senior Euro titles, alongside his teammates Nacho, Ferran Torres, Álvaro Morata and Rodri.[46]
Personal life
Merino's father, Ángel Miguel, was also a footballer. His career was also associated with Osasuna, as both a player and manager.[47]
On 1 June 2024, Merino married model Lola Liberal in Pamplona.[48][49]
^García, Gregorio (8 June 2016). "Osasuna toma ventaja, pero no sentencia" [Osasuna get the upper hand, but do not get job done]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 8 June 2016.
^García, Gregorio (11 June 2016). "Y el primer finalista es... Osasuna" [And the first finalists are... Osasuna]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 June 2016.
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