Jon Balda

Born in Anoeta, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Balda joined Real Sociedad's youth sides in 2015, aged 13. He made his senior debut with the C-team on 3 January 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jon Karrikaburu and scoring his side's only in a 2–1 Tercera División home loss to Sestao River Club. Promoted to the reserves in Primera Federación in July 2022, Balda was mainly a backup to Jonathan Gómez and Ander Zoilo, respectively, before becoming a first-choice during the 2024–25 season. He made his first team debut on 21 November 2024, starting in a 5–0 away routing of FC Jove Español San Vicente, for the campaign's Copa del Rey. On 27 November 2024, Balda renewed his contract with the Txuri-urdin until 2027. The following 13 February, he made his UEFA Europa League debut; despite being a starter in a 2–1 away win over FC Midtjylland, he only lasted 23 minutes on the field before being subbed off after receiving a yellow card early on.