Athletic Club veteran turns down return to boyhood club to play in Europe with Basque giants | OneFootball

Veteran midfielder Ander Herrera has come to a decision on his future, and will remain in Bilbao next season. The 34-year-old will sign a renewal with Athletic Club to extend his contract for a further year.

Herrera signed with Athletic for a second time two seasons ago, and made 27 appearances last season, 12 of them from the start. Marca say that manager Ernesto Valverde has requested that Herrera be renewed, feeling that he will be able to offer plenty with Los Leones competing on four fronts next season. He also offers ample experience to the dressing room, which is losing Raul Garcia and Iker Muniain this summer.

It means that Herrera will not join Real Zaragoza this summer. The former Manchester United midfielder has openly declared a desire to finish his career at La Romareda, but has decided to delay that wish for another year. Herrera will compete for minutes with Mikel Vesga, Benat Prados, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and youngster Mikel Jauregizar next season.