GOAL reported on 19 October that Ander Herrera is playing for Real Zaragoza in Spain's third division without taking a salary. The midfielder has worn the Real Zaragoza shirt again since the summer, with Zaragoza having fallen into Spain's third tier ahead of the season.
Return without pay
Herrera returned to Zaragoza in mid-July, signing for a year. GOAL reported that, with Zaragoza's finances in a fairly poor state, Herrera has waived his salary.
Herrera said: "I don’t need a contract. I’ve had a very successful career and looked after my finances, so I can give myself this gift. Putting on this shirt ... for free, because I want to help the club, the team, the city."
Herrera's comments
The central midfielder said: "I owe this club and the people there a great deal. Without Real Zaragoza, I probably would never have become a professional."
Herrera said he sees himself as a supporter as much as a player. He said: "As fans, we have a responsibility in this situation to help the team."
Herrera said: "I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in football and, of course, financially. So I don’t need it. I wanted to play for free, to help for free."
Season start
At the end of August, Herrera captained Zaragoza in the season opener. Zaragoza lost 2-0 away to Gimnastic de Tarragona in that match.
Zaragoza took 17 points from their next seven games. Injury problems kept Herrera on the sidelines for a month, limiting him to three of those matches.
Table position
Herrera returned in Sunday's 0-0 draw in Murcia, coming on with just over 20 minutes left. After eight matches, Zaragoza sit second, level on points with leaders Villarreal B.