IDUB Global - Football Players Agency
Basque Talent Specialists

Spain

€150mm

Key Facts

Also known as: Servicios Deportivos IDUB SL, IDUB Global
Founded: Early 1990s (formal company incorporated 2008)
Headquarters: Donostia–San Sebastián & Vitoria–Gasteiz, Spain
Players: 105+ (33 in 1st tier) – total market value approx. €150mm
FIFA/FA registration: FIFA–licensed agents operating under RFEF (Spain) – intermediaries including Tomás Durán, Joseba Barandiaran and Eduardo Ortiz (license numbers not publicly disclosed)
Languages: Spanish, Basque, English, plus Bosnian/Serbian
Regions covered: Spain (LaLiga & LaLiga2), Basque Country, wider Iberia, Balkans, Central Europe, Latin America
Email: duran@idub.es
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idubglobal/

About

IDUB Global is a long-standing Basque player agency built around four former professionals – Iñaki Ibáñez, Tomás Durán, Peio Uralde and Vicente Biurrun – who began working together in the early 1990s and later formalised the company as Servicios Deportivos IDUB SL in 2008. The agency has deep roots in Real Sociedad and Athletic Club academies and is known for guiding players from youth level into LaLiga and other top European competitions. Its portfolio spans elite first-team footballers, rising talents and high-profile coaches, with a particular emphasis on long-term, relationship-based career management rather than purely transaction-driven work.

Key People

• Co-Founders/Partners:

  • Tomás Durán – Founding partner and senior agent, focal point for many LaLiga clients; contact email: duran@idub.es

  • Iñaki Ibáñez – Former professional, focuses on sporting strategy and long-term player development.

  • Peio Uralde – Ex-forward with strong links to Basque football and youth pathways.

  • Vicente Biurrun – Former goalkeeper, brings goalkeeping expertise and club-relation experience.

• Managing Director / Head of Football (operational leadership):

  • Collective leadership by the four founding partners, with Durán and Ibáñez front-facing on many senior negotiations and club relationships.

• Licensed agents & staff (selection):

  • Joseba Barandiaran – RFEF-licensed agent, part of IDUB staff list.

  • Mela Kodro – Agent with strong Balkan links; son of former Bosnia striker and coach Meho Kodro.

  • Siso Santolaya – Contributor

  • Valentin Carlos de Bergara – Recruitment and career services

  • Juanjo Ríos – Recruitment and career services

  • Edu Ortiz – Recruitment and career services

Client Roster

Top players and talents (current)

• Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal FC) – 02 February 1999

• Jon Martín (Real Sociedad) – 23 April 2006

• Beñat Turrientes (Real Sociedad) – 31 January 2002

• Jon Pacheco (Deportivo Alavés) – 08 January 2001

• Urko González de Zárate (RCD Espanyol Barcelona) – 20 March 2001

• Dominik Prpić (FC Porto) – 19 May 2004

• Jorge Herrando (CA Osasuna) – 28 February 2001

• Unai López (Rayo Vallecano) – 30 October 1995

• Jon Guridi (Deportivo Alavés) – 28 February 1995

• Jon Bautista (SD Eibar) – 03 July 1995

• Sergio Ruiz (Granada CF) – 16 December 1994

• Aritz Aldasoro (Racing Santander) – 05 June 1999

• Aritz Elustondo (Real Sociedad) – 28 March 1994

• Jon Ander Olasagasti (Levante UD) – 16 August 2000

• Urko Izeta (Athletic Bilbao) – 29 September 1999

• Diego Rico (Getafe CF) – 23 February 1993

• Marko Dmitrovic (RCD Espanyol Barcelona) – 24 January 1992

• Adrián Lapeña (CSKA Sofia) – 16 April 1996

• Iker Kortajarena (SD Huesca) – 21 June 2000

• Imanol García de Albéniz (FC Andorra) – 08 June 2000

• Jesús Rivas (Puebla FC) – 29 October 2002

• Arkaitz Mariezkurrena (Real Sociedad B) – 05 April 2005

• Hrvoje Milicevic (AEK Larnaca) – 20 April 1993

• Kenan Kodro (Real Zaragoza) – 19 August 1993

• Heinz Mörschel (FC Vizela) – 24 August 1997

• Karlo Bartolec (FC Astana) – 20 April 1995

• Aritz Arambarri (SD Eibar) – 31 January 1998

• Unai Marrero (Real Sociedad) – 09 October 2001

• Jorge Aguirre (Panetolikos) – 05 January 2000

• Dragan Kokanović (FK Vojvodina Novi Sad) – 01 May 2002

Notable former clients

• Detailed historic client lists are not publicly documented; IDUB has long worked with multiple generations of Basque professionals, but specific former clients are not listed publicly with enough reliability to name here.

Coaches / Staff represented

• Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid – Head Coach)

• Andoni Iraola (AFC Bournemouth – Head Coach)

• Ernesto Valverde (Athletic Club – Head Coach)

• José Luis Mendilibar (Olympiacos Piraeus – Head Coach)

• Gaizka Garitano (Cádiz CF – Head Coach)

• Beñat San José (SD Eibar – Head Coach)

• Iñigo Pérez (Rayo Vallecano – Head Coach)

• Jokin Aranbarri (Bilbao Athletic – Manager)

Notable Deals

• 2025 – Martín Zubimendi – Real Sociedad to Arsenal FC – permanent transfer, long-term deal reportedly around release-clause valuation, running to 2030.

• 2025 – Dominik Prpić – Croatian defender to FC Porto – permanent transfer on a contract until 2030.

• 2024 – Jon Pacheco – Real Sociedad to Deportivo Alavés – permanent LaLiga move with contract to 2026.

• 2024 – Diego Rico – Real Sociedad to Getafe CF – permanent transfer, deal to 2026.

• 2025 – Marko Dmitrovic – Sevilla FC to RCD Espanyol Barcelona – permanent move on a contract to 2028.

• 2025 – Imanol García de Albéniz – Sparta Praha to FC Andorra – loan move to regain rhythm after injuries.

• 2025 – Arkaitz Mariezkurrena – Real Sociedad – contract extension to 2029.

• 2025 – Dragan Kokanović – FK Vojvodina – contract extension to 2029.

• 2025 – Jesús Rivas – move within Liga MX to Puebla FC – permanent transfer.

Services

• Career planning and advisory across youth, senior and late-career stages

• Contract negotiation and renegotiation (club contracts, bonuses, buy-out clauses)

• Domestic and international transfers and loans

• Image rights and commercial/sponsorship deals for top clients

• Media, PR and social-media positioning in collaboration with club channels

• Legal and tax structuring via in-house and external specialists

• Financial planning, investment screening and family support

• Relocation support for players and families (housing, schooling, integration)

• Performance support through partner physios, fitness coaches and mental-coaching resources

• Post-career transition planning (coaching, media, business projects)

Partner Network

• Strong historical ties with Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, Deportivo Alavés, Osasuna and other Basque/Spanish clubs.

• Growing presence in Portugal (FC Porto, FC Vizela), Central Europe (Sparta Praha, FC Andorra) and the Balkans (FK Vojvodina, AEK Larnaca).

• Links to regional academies and grassroots clubs in the Basque Country and wider Spain via the founders’ careers and long-term relationships.

• Established relationships with specialist sports lawyers, tax advisors, physios and conditioning coaches in Spain and partner markets.

• Media and marketing collaborators in Spain and Latin America for content, interviews and brand campaigns around high-profile clients.

Track Record (last 3 seasons – indicative)

• Total transfers completed:

  • 20+ player transfers and loans across Spain, Portugal, Serbia, Cyprus, Mexico and Greece since 2023.

• Deals ≥ €10m:

  • At least one major deal at or above €10m – Martín Zubimendi’s transfer to Arsenal – plus several high-value deals in the €3–8m range.

• Clients in top-5 leagues (players & coaches):

  • 8+ players currently in top-5 European leagues (Premier League, LaLiga).

  • 5+ managers in top-5 leagues.

• National team clients:

  • Multiple senior internationals for Spain, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Cuba.

• Renewal / extension deals:

  • 5+ notable renewals in last 3 seasons, including Arkaitz Mariezkurrena (Real Sociedad – to 2029), Iker Kortajarena (SD Huesca – to 2026), Jorge Herrando (Osasuna – to 2027) and Dragan Kokanović (Vojvodina – to 2029).

Approach & Philosophy

IDUB Global positions itself as a companion on the player’s journey rather than a purely transactional agency. The founders emphasise loyalty, discretion and continuity – often working with players from academy age into senior careers and then into coaching or other roles.

Scouting is strongly focused on Basque and Spanish talent, especially within the Real Sociedad and Athletic Club ecosystems, with selective additions from the Balkans and Latin America. The agency leans heavily on live scouting and club-insider knowledge, supported by performance data. Negotiations prioritise long-term fit – playing time, club project and environment – over short-term financial upside, particularly for younger players.

Fees & Transparency

• Typical commissions:

  • Exact fee structures are not public, but IDUB operates under FIFA and RFEF agent regulations. In practice, commissions are likely to sit around the common industry range of up to roughly 3–5% of the player’s gross salary in straightforward representations, with club-side commissions possible in certain deals.

• Dual representation:

  • Dual representation (acting for both player and club) is permitted under current rules when fully disclosed and agreed in writing. IDUB’s internal thresholds are not public, so players are advised to ask for clarity on each deal.

• Image rights & commercial deals:

  • For higher-profile clients, image rights, sponsorships and commercial deals are handled alongside specialist tax and legal partners, either within a bundled commission or as tailored service packages.

Compliance & Reputation

• Disciplinary actions / sanctions:

  • No public record of FIFA, UEFA or RFEF sanctions against IDUB Global or its licensed agents.

• Litigation / disputes:

  • No major court cases involving the agency have surfaced in mainstream media; any disputes appear to be handled privately or via federation channels.

• Media sentiment:

  • Generally positive to neutral, with IDUB most often mentioned in connection with player success stories and Basque talent development rather than controversy.

Awards / Recognition

• Widely regarded within Spanish football as a reference agency for Basque players and coaches, given its long-term presence around Real Sociedad and Athletic talent pathways.

• A coaching portfolio including Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola, Ernesto Valverde and José Luis Mendilibar effectively serves as a badge of trust and standing within the professional game.