According to Spanish newspaper Sport, citing El Heraldo de Aragón, 37-year-old midfielder Ander Herrera has returned to Real Zaragoza on a free transfer and is donating his salary.

Ander Herrera was interviewed by BBC's sports program "Match of the Day," where he discussed his return to Real Zaragoza after turning 37 on August 14. The Zaragoza player is well-known in English football, having played for Manchester United for five seasons, making 168 official appearances and winning the Europa League and Community Shield with the Red Devils.

Ander Herrera said: "I've had a very successful career and managed my money well. Now I can give myself this gift, helping my team for free during a difficult period for the club."

He has completed all preseason training and is in good physical condition. On Sunday, the team will play away against Gimnàstic de Tarragona in what will be his official debut following his return to his beloved club. Unlike his previous time there, the team is not in La Liga 2 or the top flight, but in the third tier—Primera Federación.

Ander Herrera came through Zaragoza's youth academy, earning promotion with the team in the 2008-09 season and being promoted to the senior squad in 2009. He later moved to Athletic Bilbao for a fee that could reach 11.2 million euros, setting a record for the highest transfer fee for a Zaragoza academy player leaving the club. In 2014, he joined Manchester United for a 36 million euro release clause, with Zaragoza receiving 1.4 million euros in youth training compensation as a result.

Ander Herrera continued: "I'm very proud to come back here just to help, without considering money, contracts, or anything else. This is the last dream I want to fulfill: to go home, to where I grew up, to where I was given the chance to become a professional footballer. As we often say in Spain, it's about returning to the starting point, and I can give myself this gift." After leaving Manchester United, the midfielder also played for Paris Saint-Germain and then returned to Athletic Bilbao. In 2024, he hoped to return to Zaragoza but it didn't happen, and he subsequently played for Boca Juniors for a year and a half.

Ander Herrera will donate his entire minimum salary of 25,000 euros from Primera Federación to the Real Zaragoza Foundation. He signed a one-year contract with the club, which could be his final season in professional football, though retirement has not been decided. Looking ahead, he plans to remain in the Aragonese capital and focus on the club he has loved his whole life, with coaching also in his plans.

Herrera concluded: "I still have the passion, desire, and love for football. Playing in my hometown is the best way to end my career."

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