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David López: “Espanyol will always be my home”
Send-off for a club captain and legend at the RCDE Stadium
David López signed off as an RCD Espanyol footballer this Tuesday, in an event held at the RCDE Stadium's Ángel Rodríguez Presidential Box. Tears were shed and plenty of applause given in recognition of a club legend.
“I would like you to remember me as a good person, who was humble and hardworking. It is what I have tried to be day after day, and I hope you will remember me as someone who never gave up,” said López, whose contract has come to an end.
“Fate is not something that you choose. My dream was to retire at Espanyol and although I haven't achieved it, I'm taking away other things with me. I leave here satisfied and happy,” he emphasised.
“I have fallen many times, but I've always focused on getting back up as soon as possible: That would be the best possible legacy to leave here, because it is one of the values that represents Espanyol. I am happy about my effort and my loyalty to the club. I have put the club before myself. I have always tried to convey to my teammates the values that represent this club.”
"The dream of any player when he starts out is to get to the Primera División and play as many games as possible. I can take something from everything that I've done here. Having managed to wear the captain's armband in so many games is one of the greatest satisfactions of my career."
Regarding his best moment at the club, he commented that “qualifying for Europe was one of the most special moments, but I prefer the day of our promotion back to LaLiga. It was a difficult season, as was the previous one. Last season I had more responsibility and the promotion was a very important liberation. It was important to achieve promotion and we were at peace with ourselves because of that."
López concluded by saying that “I am leaving, but I will always follow Espanyol. I will be there for whatever the club needs. I don't know what will happen in the future, but I would like for our paths to cross again."
CEO of RCD Espanyol, Mao Ye Wu, thanked him “for so many years of effort and being an example of hard work and dedication. We have shared happy moments and other, more difficult ones. Thanks to this member of the Los Pericos family."
Mao Ye presented López with the club's gold and diamond badge, whilst Raúl Tamudo, Dani Solsona and Rafa Marañón presented him with a commemorative shirt with the number of matches that he played and Thomas N'Kono handed over a captain's armband.