Former Manchester United midfielder, Ander Herrera, has explained why he chose to return to boyhood club Real Zaragoza without taking a salary, describing the move as a long-held dream.
The 37-year-old midfielder rejoined Zaragoza on a free transfer from Boca Juniors, ending a 15-year absence from the Spanish club where he began his professional career.
Herrera went on to represent Athletic Club, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Boca Juniors, winning major honours including the Europa League and FA Cup. However, he considers his return to Zaragoza among the most significant moments 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.”
Zaragoza have endured a difficult period in recent years.
The club were relegated from La Liga in 2013 and, following several seasons of struggles in the second tier, have now dropped into Spain’s third division.
Herrera said watching the club’s decline had been painful but insisted his focus was now on helping Zaragoza rebuild and regain their former status.
“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.”
In a further demonstration of his commitment, Herrera has opted to donate his salary to the Real Zaragoza Foundation instead of receiving wages from the club.
“I don’t need a contract. I have a very successful career. I have taken care of my money,” Herrera said.
“I can give this present to myself. To put that shirt on… for free because I wanted to help my club, my team, my city.”
The midfielder said his decision was driven by his strong emotional connection with Zaragoza and his desire to repay the club for the role it played in his development.
“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.”
“I’m not thinking about money or contracts. I feel privileged to be able to do that.”
Herrera grew up supporting Zaragoza before eventually becoming a first-team player.
His father, Pedro, also represented the club and later worked as its general manager.
One of Herrera’s earliest football memories was watching Zaragoza defeat Arsenal in the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup final. He would later win the same competition during his own playing career.
Now, he hopes his experience can contribute to Zaragoza’s efforts to climb back up the Spanish football pyramid.
Rather than dwelling on the club’s difficult past, Herrera has urged his teammates to concentrate on building a better future.
“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 represents more than simply the final chapter of his playing career.
It is a chance to give back to the club that gave him his professional breakthrough and help restore Zaragoza to the level he believes they deserve.
“In Spain, we say closing the circle,” he said.
