Later the same year, on 21 August, the same opponents, now renamed Real Unión, were invited to play the inaugural game at San Mamés Stadium, and he scored the very first goal at the ground;[6] two months later, he also scored the first goal at Real Sociedad's new Atotxa Stadium in the opening fixture for that venue.

[9][10] After returning from the 1920 Olympics, some supporters felt that his performances were no longer measuring up to his 'star' status, and this criticism caused him to abruptly quit playing altogether in order to become a referee.

[11] Pichichi died on 2 March 1922 at age 29 from a sudden attack of typhus,[12][9] with the grief among the fans at the shock news heightened with regret for the acrimonious manner in which their hero had departed the club.

[16] Both he and his future wife were immortalised in a painting by Aurelio Arteta (although it is said that the image originally depicted teammate José María Belauste, and came to be known as a representation of Pichichi and his fiancée following his death[citation needed]).

[18] Despite concerns that it might not be accommodated at Athletic's new ground,[19] a suitable spot was identified at the entrance to the players' tunnel, allowing the tradition to continue at the new location from 2013 onwards.