The return of Ander Herrera to Real Zaragoza is already a reality. Fifteen years after leaving the club for Athletic Club in 2011, the midfielder returns to the club where he was trained with a single objective: to help return the team to professional football. In his first statements as a new Zaragoza player offered to the club’s media, the homegrown player has shown his happiness at returning home, has claimed the need to face the new stage with optimism in Primera Federación and has made it clear that he wants to put all his experience at the service of the dressing room.
«It is a great happiness to return home, to return to the club from which I left and where I was trained,» said Herrera, who also stressed that «Real Zaragoza and all the people who were part of my training» have played a crucial role in his sporting career. «I know that it is a complicated historical moment, but it is also the time for the people who love the club to take a step forward,» said the midfielder, who pointed out that he is ready to «represent the club of which I am a fan».
Beyond his footballing quality, Ander Herrera has made it clear that his main objective within the white squad will be to put all his experience at the service of the group and the youngsters. «I want to put myself at the service of each of my teammates, the coach and the club,» he explained. «Collective successes are impossible to be of one, two or three people. The day we go up to the Second Division, God willing, it will be because we have all done our bit,» remarked the 36-year-old player, who stressed that «there would be nothing more beautiful than going up to the Second Division.»
Precisely and in view of this new stage in the First Federation, Herrera has urged to leave behind these last and Dantesque seasons and thus focus on the future. «We are going to take a step forward, we are going to stop talking about the past and what has happened these years,» he said. «We have to be aware that we are in the First Federation, put ourselves at the level of the category and put on our work overalls because it is not going to be easy,» remarked the midfielder who is already focused on preseason, preparation and trying to win the first league game in Tarragona.
THE SPORTS STRUCTURE
Herrera has also shown his total predisposition towards the new coach, Ibai Gómez, with whom he shared a dressing room during his time as a footballer and considers a good friend. «I have already told him that if he has to take me by bus to Antequera and not put me on for a minute, he should do it. What I want is for Zaragoza to win,» said the Zaragoza academy player.
On the other hand, the midfielder also showed full confidence in the work being done by the sporting management led by Lalo Arantegui and Fran Gracia, with whom he acknowledged having maintained contact during the last few weeks. «Full confidence in them. They are prepared people and I also want to put myself at their service for everything they need. There will be nothing more beautiful than ending up in ten or eleven months saying that we have been promoted to the Second Division«.
HIS FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE
After fifteen years away from the Aragonese capital, Ander Herrera believes that he returns as a much more complete footballer, not only because of his experience on the pitch, but also because of everything he has learned during his career. «When a footballer grows up, he gains in decision-making, in experience and in facing situations that he has already experienced during his career,» he reflected.
«I’m a sponge. I’ve been able to learn a lot from all the coaches I’ve had and I want to continue doing so until the last day of my career. I love football, it’s the best thing that has happened to me in my life apart from my family, and I’m going to enjoy and squeeze every moment until I retire,» said a midfielder who returns to what was his home.
