Why I Chose to Play for Free at My Childhood Club, Herrera

Ander Herrera, former Manchester United midfielder, says returning to his childhood club Real Zaragoza and playing for free is a dream come true. He aims to help the Spanish team get back on its feet.

The 37-year-old midfielder has come back to Zaragoza after being away for 15 years. He joined the club on a free transfer from Boca Juniors.

Herrera started his professional career at Zaragoza before moving on to play for Athletic Club, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and Boca Juniors.

Even with a successful career that includes trophies like the Europa League, FA Cup, and several league titles, Herrera says coming home is one of the most important moves he has ever made.

“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 is facing one of its toughest times in history. The club was relegated from La Liga in 2013 and has struggled in the second division before now falling to Spain’s third tier.

Herrera says it has been painful to see the club decline, but he wants to focus on helping them improve.

“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.”

The midfielder has also decided to give 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,” 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.”

Herrera said he made this decision because of his strong bond with Zaragoza and his wish to give back to the club that helped him grow.

“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.”

Before becoming a first-team player, Herrera was a devoted Zaragoza fan. His father, Pedro, also played for the club and later became its general manager.

The midfielder remembers watching Zaragoza beat Arsenal in the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup final, a title he later won in his career.

Now he hopes his experience can guide Zaragoza back to the level he thinks the club deserves.

Instead of dwelling on past failures, Herrera wants the club to focus on rebuilding.

“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, returning to Zaragoza is not just about finishing his playing career. It is a chance to give back to the club that gave him his start and help restore its place in Spanish football.

“In Spain, we say closing the circle,” he said.