Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says returning to his boyhood club, Real Zaragoza, is a dream come true.
The 37-year-old midfielder has rejoined Zaragoza on a free transfer from Boca Juniors.
Herrera began his professional career at Zaragoza before moving to Athletic Club, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Boca Juniors.
Despite enjoying a successful career, Herrera says returning home is one of the most meaningful moves of his career.
“This is probably the last dream that I wanted to make come true,” Herrera told BBC Sport on Thursday.
“To come back home, to the place where I grew up, that allowed me to be professional – not only in football, also as a human being.”
Herrera Wants to Help Zaragoza Rise Again
Zaragoza are going through one of the most difficult periods in their history.
The club dropped out of La Liga in 2013 after a long stay in Spain’s top flight.
Years of struggles in the second division have now seen Zaragoza fall into Spain’s third tier.
Herrera admits the club’s decline has been painful to watch.
“It has been so sad, of course, for all us Zaragozistas,” he said.
“Real Zaragoza belong to Europe, they belong to compete for trophies, to be fighting with the biggest clubs in Spain and in Europe.”
“I want to put my quality, my experience and my passion to try to help my team to come back where I think we belong.”
Herrera to Play Without Salary
Herrera has also chosen to donate his salary to the Real Zaragoza Foundation instead of taking a wage from the club.
“I don’t need a contract. I have a very successful career. I have taken care of my money,” he said.
The decision reflects his strong connection with the club and his desire to give something back.
“It’s something that I wanted to do. It’s something that I can do and it’s something that makes me feel so proud to be able to be here just to help,” Herrera said.
“I’m not thinking about money or contracts. I feel privileged to be able to do that.”
‘Closing the Circle’
Herrera supported Zaragoza long before he became a first-team player.
His father, Pedro, also played for the club and later worked as its general manager.
Some of Herrera’s earliest football memories involve watching Zaragoza win the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup final against Arsenal.
He later won the competition himself during his playing career.
Now, he wants to use his experience to help Zaragoza return to Spanish football’s higher levels.
“Since the first day I came, I don’t want to talk too much about the past,” he said.
“We have been talking too much about what we have done wrong.”
“Let’s stop crying about what happened in the past. Let’s build on the future. Let’s come every day to training with a smile.”
For Herrera, the return to Zaragoza represents more than the final chapter of his playing career.
It is a chance to repay the club that gave him his first opportunity and help restore its place in Spanish football.
“In Spain, we say closing the circle,” he said.
