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“I am a perico and here I am”
Rubén Sánchez expresses his delight to be back in the men's first team at his presentation
From training to Mirandés to packing his bags for a return to Barcelona, Rubén Sánchez has had a whirlwind few days.
Having spent this season on loan at Mirandés, an untimely anterior cruciate ligament injury to Edu Expósito meant that the Club exercised their recall option for the academy product, who has returned to take a place in the men’s first team. He spoke in a presentation on Monday to welcome him back to RCD Espanyol after months away.
Rubén said, “Last summer, the Club and I decided that the best thing was to go out on loan to get more minutes and grow as a player. With Mirandés I grew as a player and took another step in my development, but I have returned home. I am a perico and here I am”.
The 23-year-old made 21 appearances for Mirandés this season, forming a key part of their defence. He played the full 90 minutes for the Burgos side in matchday 24, and nine days later, he came off the bench in Espanyol’s momentous win over Levante in matchday 26 of LALIGA Hypermotion.
He continued by explaining, “I can see a very united, strong team. I am very self-demanding; it wasn't my best second debut, but there are many games that remain and I'm going to try to continue learning. I am part of the first team, in a professional Club and with very united people”.
For his part, sporting director Fran Garagarza said, “We were confident that he would play a lot for Mirandés and that has been the case. He is a player with a good age and progression. His incorporation was unexpected due to Edu's injury, but we had discussed it with him and his agent.
“Yesterday he already played some minutes and although he has a contract, we have reached an agreement in principle to renew him until the 2027/28 season. I know that our decision caused surprise in Mirandés, but, given Edu's injury, we made that decision. We discussed this with the club and show our utmost respect and gratitude”.