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Puado: "I'm proud to be staying at my home"
The captain and striker speaks after renewing through to 2030
Having recently put pen to paper on a contract extension through to 2030, RCD Espanyol striker Javi Puado -and members of the club's board- talked about the renewal on Wednesday, expressing their happiness with the agreement.
Under the banner of "El Capitán Ideal ("The Ideal Captain"), Puado showed his delight with the move and his "pride in being able to stay at my home."
In a brief review of his career, to date, the homegrown star stated that "La21 represents a lot. You have to experience the atmosphere there to be able get hooked on the club. I've gone from youth level to the first team, with good times and tough times along the way. It's something that excites you. The people who are here at the stadium or watching at home -and the people who wear this shirt- know what the it feels like to be a Perico."
"RCD Espanyol have given me the opportunity to play in the Primera División and be part of an incredible group of people. It's an honour to be captain of this club and to stay here through to 2030. I think we're building a good squad so that, at the end of the season, we'll all be very happy."
On the decision to renew, Puado stated that "I've always been very calm, because I knew what was true and what was false about everything that was being said. I've always been very clear when asked, so I've taken these months calmly and quietly. I always said that the important thing was for us to stay up, and then we'd talk more calmly about me staying."
"The sporting project has to consolidate our place in the top flight and improve every year. We have to keep growing and looking upwards, so that Espanyol are always where the club belong."
Comment was also reserved for the club's coach, Manolo González.
"He has congratulated me and I'm very happy to continue with him as coach. We have to compete in every game, make sure that it's a good year for everyone, and that the fans continue to feel proud of the team."
Mao Ye, the club's CEO, addressed the player with a few words, saying "this isn't just another renewal for me. When I arrived at the club, you were in the Under-19s, and I've seen you grow. You've gone through the steps that every young player must go through. We hope to celebrate many more goals with you."
For Fran Garagarza, RCD Espanyol's sporting director, "the word that best defines this event is 'pride' for the entire Perico family, for everything that 'La21' means and for the commitment of our captain from the very first moment."