Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has become the first man to receive the One Club Man award from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.
The award was recently introduced to honour players who have spent their entire careers with one team, and the former England international flew over to attend Tuesday night's Basque derby between Athletic and Real Sociedad where he was introduced to the crowd at San Mames at half time.
Le Tissier, who played for Southampton between 1986 and 2002, says that it is a honour to receive the accolade.
"It certainly was a big surprise and a very pleasant one too," he told Athletic's official website. "I am incredibly proud to be the first to receive this award.
"My main reason [for staying at Southampton] was my personal happiness and contentment, something which I have always put first among other things.
"That and the fact that I felt a loyalty to pay back Southampton for giving me the chance to achieve my dreams."
Le Tissier scored 209 goals for Southampton and is widely regarded to be the South Coast club's greatest ever player.
Steven Toplis
