Former Manchester United star explains why he’s playing for free in third tier

Former Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ander Herrera has returned to boyhood club Zaragoza in Spain’s third tier and is playing for free.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a fabulous career, which has also included two stints at Athletic Bilbao, a season with Boca Juniors and being capped by Spain.

He has returned to Spain this month to sign for Zaragoza, who have slipped into the third tier of Spanish football after relegation from La Liga 2.

The midfielder is back to try and help the club return to former glories and has chosen to donate his salary to Zaragoza’s foundation.

He told the BBC: ‘I don’t need a contract. I have a very successful career. I have taken care of my money.

‘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.

‘It’s something that I wanted to do. It’s something that I am able to do and it’s something that makes me feel so proud to be able to be here just to help.

‘I am not thinking about money or contracts. I feel a privilege to be able to do that.’

Having won trophies including the Europa League, FA Cup, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France, Herrera says a return to Zaragoza is the last ambition of his career.

‘This is probably the last dream that I wanted to make come true,’ he said.

‘To come back home, to the place where I grew up, that gave me the opportunity to be professional – not only in football, also as a human being.

‘And I still have the passion, I still have the desire. I still have that love for football and to do it at home is the best way to end up in my career. In Spain, we say closing the circle.’

Zaragoza were in the top flight in Spain for the majority of the time from the mid-1950s until relegation in 2013.

The club has never conquered La Liga, but has won the Copa del Rey six times and as recently as 2004.

‘Real Zaragoza belong to Europe, they belong to compete for trophies, to be fighting with the biggest clubs in Spain and in Europe,’ said Herrera.

‘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.’