MADRID, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Valencia goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala will miss the rest of the season and is also likely to have played his last match for the club after it was confirmed he needs surgery on a damaged meniscus.

The goalkeeper, who joined Valencia on loan from Athletic Club, suffered the injury during training last Friday while completing his recovery from the hamstring problem he picked up playing against Celta Vigo on January 3.

Medical staff from both clubs have agreed that surgery is the best option for the 23-year-old. The operation will end his season but should allow him to return fully fit for preseason ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Agirrezabala moved to Valencia last summer following Giorgi Mamardashvili's transfer to Liverpool FC and impressed in the 19 matches he played despite the club's struggles in La Liga.

The loan deal included an option for Valencia to make the move permanent for 12 million euros (13 million U.S. dollars), but the club's financial situation makes that fee virtually impossible to pay, meaning Agirrezabala's spell at Mestalla now appears to be over.

Stole Dimitrievski is set to remain in goal for Valencia for the rest of the season. The North Macedonian goalkeeper has impressed since Agirrezabala's injury as the team has moved away from the relegation zone. ■