Mikel Santos in 2026: Net Worth and Salary, Age, FC 26, Stats, Transfer Values, and FAQs

Who Is Mikel Santos?

Mikel Santos is one of those young footballers who has not made major headlines yet but is quietly working his way through one of the most respected academy systems in world football. He is a 21 year old goalkeeper from Bilbao who currently sits in the Athletic Bilbao first team squad, wearing the number 26 shirt. If you know anything about Athletic Bilbao, you know they only sign Basque players, so earning a spot in that squad means you have come through a very specific and demanding pathway.

He is still early in his senior career, but the fact that he has already been registered in the La Liga squad for the 2026/2027 season tells you the club sees real potential in him. He is part of a goalkeeping group at Athletic that includes experienced names like Unai Simon and Julen Agirrezabala, so the competition is fierce. But Mikel is young, he is patient, and he is learning from some of the best in Spanish football.

Age and Early Life

Mikel Santos Linares was born on November 1, 2004, in Bilbao, the capital of the Biscay province in the Basque Country. That makes him 21 years old as of 2026. Growing up in Bilbao means football is basically in the air you breathe. Athletic Bilbao is more than just a club in that city. It is an institution, and for a young Basque kid with talent, getting into their system is the dream.

Mikel's youth development started at CD Basconia, which is one of Athletic Bilbao's affiliated feeder clubs. He joined Basconia in 2023 and showed enough promise to earn a move to Bilbao Athletic, the club's reserve team that competes in the Primera Federacion (Spain's third tier). He made that step up in March 2024 and has been progressing steadily since then.

Nationality

Mikel Santos is Spanish, born and raised in Bilbao in the Basque Country. His Basque identity is central to his football career because of Athletic Bilbao's unique recruitment policy. The club only signs players who are Basque, either born in the region or developed through Basque football academies. For Mikel, being from Bilbao itself makes him a natural fit for the club's identity and values.

He has not yet received any international call ups at youth level for Spain, but he is still young enough for that to come. Many goalkeepers develop later than outfield players, so there is plenty of time for him to catch the eye of national team selectors if he continues on his current trajectory.

Career Stats

Mikel's career stats are still in the early stages, which makes sense for a 21 year old goalkeeper who is still establishing himself. His main playing time has come with Bilbao Athletic in the Primera Federacion, where he has been part of the squad during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons.

At the first team level, he has made two appearances in friendly matches during the 2025/2026 pre season campaign. In those two outings, he played 68 minutes total, made one start and came on as a substitute in the other. He kept one clean sheet and conceded just one goal across those appearances. Those are small numbers, but for a young keeper getting his first taste of senior football alongside established professionals, every minute counts.

His development at the reserve team level has been about building consistency, learning to command his area, and adapting to the physical demands of senior football. The fact that Athletic Bilbao have included him in their La Liga registered squad for the 2026/2027 season shows they see him as part of the future.

Jersey Number

Mikel Santos wears the number 26 shirt at Athletic Bilbao. For a young goalkeeper, getting assigned a squad number at the senior level is a big deal. It means the club considers you part of the first team picture, even if you are not yet the regular starter. At Athletic, the number 1 shirt belongs to Unai Simon, so Mikel's number 26 places him as the third choice keeper behind Simon and Julen Agirrezabala, with Alex Padilla also in the mix wearing number 27.

FC 26 Rating and Potential

For the gaming community, Mikel Santos has an overall rating of 63 in EA Sports FC 26. That might not sound flashy, but what is exciting is his potential rating of 75. That is a solid ceiling for a young goalkeeper and suggests the game's scouting system recognises his room for growth.

In FC 26's Career Mode, he is listed as a 21 year old goalkeeper playing for Athletic Club de Bilbao in the Spain Primera Division. He is left footed, has 1 star skill moves and 2 star weak foot, and is valued at $1.2 million in game with a weekly wage of $3,500. For Career Mode players looking for a young goalkeeper to develop over multiple seasons, Mikel represents a solid investment with a decent growth trajectory.

Transfer Values

As of late 2025 and into 2026, Transfermarkt lists Mikel Santos's market value at approximately 250,000 euros. That is a modest figure, but it reflects where he is in his career right now. He has not yet accumulated significant first team minutes in competitive fixtures, so the valuation is based more on potential than proven output.

It is worth noting that Athletic Bilbao's Basque only policy means they tend to hold onto their academy products tightly. The club rarely sells young talent unless the player or the circumstances demand it. With a contract running until June 2027, Athletic have him locked in for the foreseeable future. Icon Polls expects his transfer value to rise steadily as he gains more senior experience, particularly if he breaks into regular reserve team action or earns cup appearances with the first team.

Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Icon Polls estimates that Mikel Santos's net worth is between $400,000 and $700,000 as of 2026. This is based on his salary at Athletic Bilbao, which for a young player at his stage would typically be in the range of a first professional contract. Spanish clubs generally offer youth graduates modest initial salaries that increase as they break into the first team picture.

His FC 26 in game wage of $3,500 per week gives a rough ballpark, though real world figures can vary. As a squad registered player at a La Liga club, he would be earning more than many players his age at lower divisions, but significantly less than established first team regulars. Icon Polls notes that his earnings are expected to increase as his career develops, especially if he secures regular playing time either at Athletic or through a loan move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mikel Santos

1. How old is Mikel Santos?

Mikel Santos is 21 years old as of 2026. He was born on November 1, 2004.

2. What position does Mikel Santos play?

He plays as a goalkeeper. He is left footed, which is relatively uncommon for goalkeepers.

3. What club does Mikel Santos play for?

He is part of the Athletic Bilbao squad. He is registered for the La Liga first team for the 2026/2027 season and also plays for Bilbao Athletic, the club's reserve team in the Primera Federacion.

4. What is Mikel Santos's jersey number?

He wears the number 26 shirt at Athletic Bilbao.

5. What is Mikel Santos's net worth?

Icon Polls estimates his net worth to be between $400,000 and $700,000 as of 2026.

6. What nationality is Mikel Santos?

He is Spanish, born in Bilbao in the Basque Country region of Spain.

7. How tall is Mikel Santos?

He stands at 1.82 metres, which is approximately 6 feet 0 inches. He weighs around 72 kg.

8. What is Mikel Santos's FC 26 rating?

His overall rating in EA Sports FC 26 is 63, with a potential rating of 75. He plays as a goalkeeper for Athletic Club de Bilbao in the game.

9. What is Mikel Santos's market value?

His market value is listed at approximately 250,000 euros as of late 2025, according to Transfermarkt. This figure is expected to increase as he gains more senior experience.

10. When does Mikel Santos's contract expire?

His contract with Athletic Bilbao runs until June 30, 2027.

11. What youth teams did Mikel Santos play for?

He came through CD Basconia, one of Athletic Bilbao's feeder clubs, joining them in 2023. He then moved to Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team, in March 2024.

12. Has Mikel Santos played for the Athletic Bilbao first team?

Yes. He has made two appearances in friendly matches for the first team during the 2025/2026 pre season, playing 68 minutes total with one clean sheet and one goal conceded.

13. Is Mikel Santos left footed?

Yes. He is a left footed goalkeeper, which is considered relatively rare in professional football.

14. What are Mikel Santos's career stats?

His senior stats are still limited given his age. At the first team level, he has two friendly appearances with one clean sheet. His main development has been with Bilbao Athletic in the Primera Federacion.

15. What is Mikel Santos's salary?

His exact salary has not been publicly disclosed. Icon Polls estimates that young squad players at Athletic Bilbao earn modest first professional contract wages that increase as they break into the first team.

16. Where was Mikel Santos born?

He was born in Bilbao, the capital of the Biscay province in the Basque Country, Spain.

17. Is Mikel Santos in the La Liga squad?

Yes. He is registered in the Athletic Bilbao La Liga squad for the 2026/2027 season, wearing number 26.

18. What is Mikel Santos's potential in FC 26 Career Mode?

His potential rating in FC 26 Career Mode is 75, making him a solid option for players looking to develop a young goalkeeper over multiple seasons.

19. Who are the other goalkeepers at Athletic Bilbao?

Athletic Bilbao's goalkeeper group includes Unai Simon as the number one, Julen Agirrezabala, Alex Padilla (number 27), and Mikel Santos (number 26).

20. Has Mikel Santos played international football?

He has not yet received any international call ups at youth or senior level for Spain. However, at 21 years old, there is still time for that to come if his development continues.

21. What league does Bilbao Athletic play in?

Bilbao Athletic, the reserve team where Mikel has developed, plays in the Primera Federacion, which is Spain's third tier of professional football.

22. What is Mikel Santos's transfer value in 2026?

His transfer value is currently estimated at around 250,000 euros. Icon Polls expects this figure to grow as he accumulates more competitive minutes at the senior level.