Ander Herrera returns to Real Zaragoza after 16 years, signs one-year deal

Ander Herrera has signed his return to Real Zaragoza, marking his first homecoming after 16 years away from his hometown. The midfielder returns to the club where he trained and which he left in 2011 for Athletic Club.

Herrera brings an extensive career in European football, with stints at Athletic Club, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, and most recently, Boca Juniors. His return, negotiated by the Sports Directorate and Lalo Arantegui, has been one of the most notable sagas for the Aragonese club.

The signing was unlocked in recent days, and the official announcement is expected this Wednesday, just before the start of preseason. Herrera is already in Zaragoza, having arrived yesterday from Argentina after closing his chapter at Boca Juniors. The trip was delayed for family and bureaucratic reasons.

Minimum Salary in Primera RFEF

The midfielder will undergo medical tests in the Aragonese capital and will sign for one year, earning the minimum salary in Primera RFEF. This demonstrates that financial compensation has not been an obstacle to his signing. At almost 37 years old, the player returns as a sporting pillar to help achieve promotion to the Second Division.

Gastronomic Project in Zaragoza

This return not only brings Herrera closer to the club of his childhood but also to one of his most special and beloved projects: the restaurant Semana Fantástica, located at 27 José María Lacarra de Miguel Street, in the heart of Zaragoza.

The establishment, specializing in traditional home cooking, was founded by Herrera alongside former Zaragoza goalkeeper Pablo Alcolea and his friend Javier Allueva. The venue opened its doors on November 11 and, after ten months of activity, shows a positive balance despite a difficult start.

"It was tough for us in the first few days," admits Alcolea, who combines his passion for gastronomy with his nursing studies.

The restaurant's name is a nod to the nursing profession: when several consecutive shifts accumulate, one enjoys a free "fantastic week." The concept clicked and became the identity of the place. Its offering is based on traditional Spanish recipes made from scratch, including croquettes, stews, marinated anchovies, and soon, rice dishes or offal.

Returns 15 Years Later

Semana Fantástica has become a meeting point for footballers, fans, and neighborhood residents. It is not the only case of a link between gastronomy and football in Zaragoza: former player Eneko Fernández, winner of MasterChef, has also shown that cooking can be a second vocation for those who have been through the Aragonese club.

Ander Herrera's return to Zaragoza, therefore, has a double meaning: the footballer returns, and the partner of a restaurant that has managed to establish itself among so many alternative offerings returns. Fifteen years later, the Zaragoza native returns with his enthusiasm intact, ready to continue proving himself both on the La Romareda pitch and in the kitchen.

Source: El Periódico de Aragón