Why I am playing for free at boyhood club – Herrera

Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has returned to his boyhood club Real Zaragoza on a free transfer, expressing his joy at the opportunity to help the struggling Spanish side rebuild its fortunes. The 37-year-old, who had a successful career with Athletic Club, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Boca Juniors, joined Zaragoza after 15 years away from the club.

Despite his lucrative career, Herrera decided to donate his salary to the Real Zaragoza Foundation, emphasizing his desire to contribute to the club that helped shape his professional life and personal values. He has been a passionate supporter of Zaragoza since childhood, with his father Pedro also having played for the club and later serving as its general manager.

Zaragoza, currently facing one of the most challenging periods in its history, was relegated from La Liga in 2013 and has since struggled in the second and third tiers of Spanish football. Herrera acknowledges the pain of witnessing the club's decline but is focused on helping the team return to the level he believes it deserves. He wants the club to concentrate on rebuilding and moving forward, rather than dwelling on the past.

Herrera's decision to return to Zaragoza is not only a personal dream come true but also an opportunity to repay the club that gave him his first professional opportunity. In Spanish football, the phrase "closing the circle" encapsulates his sentiment.