MADRID, 28 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Athletic Club player Ander Herrera confessed in his presentation that he feared for his future as a rojiblanco, acknowledging that the negotiation with the negotiation process of his arrival was “a little exasperating due to the wait”, and affirmed that the “affection and respect “You will have to earn it “with the day to day”.
“It has been longer than expected and at times a bit desperate for the wait. More or less this started three weeks ago, fortunately I am here. I am super grateful. I have a crazy desire to start, I have imagined it many times during these weeks “, said the midfielder during the presentation press conference as a new player of the Basque club.
The rojiblanco team announced the return of Herrera this Saturday, starting a second stage at Athletic eight years after his departure, when he was transferred to Manchester United for 36 million euros. In his three seasons as an Athletic player he played a total of 128 games and scored 11 goals, in addition to being runner-up in the Europa League and the Copa del Rey in 2011-12.
Now, as confirmed by the president of the entity, Jon Uriarte, before the media, he returns on loan for one year and with a “unilateral” purchase option and without transfer cost. “Our goal is for Ander to be with us for at least two years. There will be no payment for the future transfer,” said the manager.
During the appearance, the midfielder admitted that the situation experienced this summer, training in a separate group and outside PSG’s plans for this course, “has been a different one” in his career. “Because of my way of behaving with each staff, I was surprised, because I have always put the interests of the club before the personal ones, things can be done differently,” he criticized the Parisian club.
However, he insisted that the memory he will have of PSG will be “of an elegant club”, which has treated him “great these years”. “I come out stronger from a situation like this. This experience has made me a better footballer and a person, I don’t hold a grudge against anyone,” he added.
“It has not been an easy operation, I will try to erase the moments of uncertainty and focus on what lies ahead, which is super exciting,” he asserted.
The player also explained how his preparation has been these months. “I have always tried to train thinking that this could happen. I have trained to the fullest, my idea is to arrive and be available to the coach. During this time that I have trained without competing, I have tried to do it in the best way to be at my best, complying with the competition data”, he stated, before stating that both he and Ernesto Valverde wanted “to work together”.
Now Herrera arrives at a stage “of greater maturity and experience” in his career, confirming that he aspires “to put his qualities at the service of the team and the club.” In addition, he admitted that the human factor has also had an important weight in closing this operation. “Since I left Athletic you have always heard me say how special this club is, Athletic does not leave you, it is a club that scores and leaves a mark, and it is difficult to match in other places,” he said.
“There have been other options but there were few places that made me so excited. This second stage shows that many people are satisfied with what I did here. I have to earn love and respect on a day-to-day basis,” he concluded.