Junior Firpo has explained why he had to return to Real Betis and leave Leeds United this summer after his contract expired at Elland Road.
Estadio Deportivo cover comments from the left-back today after he made his return to the Spanish side official last week.
The 28-year-old has re-joined Betis 11 years after first joining them and leaving seven seasons ago, and he isn’t the only returnee at the club this summer after goalkeeper Pau Lopez also secured a move back after some time away.
Both have returned on free transfers, with Firpo becoming a free agent at the end of his contract at Leeds United.
They had been determined to keep him after his impressive performances in their promotion campaign last season, with fans and players both chanting during their trophy celebrations urging him to stay.
That was never on the cards, though, with it made clear early on this summer that Betis had moved to secure his signature and approval to return at some point.
Now he’s explained why he had to make the move from Leeds, in an emotional response when asked about the transfer.
“I’m here now. As the president said, I’ve always been in contact with the club,” he said.
“It’s not that I ever did this with the intention of wanting to create something to return to; I simply did it because I’m a Betis fan, because it comes from my heart, and because any fan would do it.
“If you add to that the fact that I can return and play here again, then I’m very happy. I’ve missed you all, and I can’t put into words how much I feel. The year I arrived at Leeds, I already said that for me the biggest thing would be to win a title with Betis.
“I came here recently, for the last La Liga home game, and the atmosphere, just before the Conference final, with the anthem already making my hair stand on end. That’s what brings me here. The feeling I have, the excitement and happiness of seeing the place these directors, these players, and this coach have put the club in.”
