First team

NAVAS: “These last two months I've felt the love from my fans and I will give everything for them”

02/08/2017

The Andalusian claimed that “there were other options, but I left it late because I wanted to come back here”

Jesús Navas was officially presented on Wednesday evening, accompanied by Club President José Castro, Óscar Arias and many members of his family. Additionally, a legend with whom Navas linked up with on the pitch to perfection wanted to attend the appointment, Frederic Kanouté. The Sevillian's happiness was clear for all to see: “I'm very excited to be here and really want to get going. These last two months I've felt the love from my fans, who wanted me to come back and I'm going to give everything for them. Today is a dream come true”.

“It's very emotional for me to wear the number 16”

The world champion made it clear that destiny took him to Nervión because although “there were other options, I wanted to wait until the last minute because I wanted to come back here. I'm very excited about the fans, my family and to wear the number 16. It's something which really moved me, which is why I tweeted that photo with Puerta. It represents values that I always always take with me and I'm very proud to wear this number”.

He has returned home four years later and comes back “with experience in the Premier League, where the game is faster, more intense. I will pass that experience on to the team. Personally, in Manchester, I had a very good time, with a great contract and from here I want to thank everyone at the club”.

As for his fitness, he pointed out that “I've been on holiday for two months, I've trained a bit in my town. It's true that I'm used to getting ready quickly, but I have to put the batteries in and get going with training in the morning and evening because we have some big games coming up, and you have to give your all”.

In this sense, he was referring to the Champions League play-off: “We have to get through the tie because it determines the course of the season. Last year the team was fighting until the latter stages of La Liga. They fell behind a bit at the very end, but I think this team can fight for everything”.

On the other hand, he was asked about the move on a personal level: “What has brought me here is humility. Here there are fans who expect everything from me and I'm going to give everything for them. I'm in a good place, but everything here starts from scratch. I will work my hardest and I'm going to give my all n every training session and in every match. The boss spoke to me and asked me what position I was most comfortable in. I told him that as long as I play, I don't care where”.

Finally, he was asked if it was his responsibility to replace Vitolo: “Vitolo is Vitolo and I'm Navas, they know how I work and what I demand of myself”.