Gabriel Heinze has revealed his delight at securing a return to Newell’s Old Boys, the club with which his career began over fifteen years ago.
The 34-year-old, who made just a handful of appearances for La Lepra before packing his bags for Valladolid in Spain as a teenager, joins the club from Roma after agreeing his release from the Italian club.
“It has been so many years since I was here, it’s all changed,” Heinze told reporters. “I feel like someone who has come home after fifteen years.”
The Argentinian international went on to pay tribute to his new coach, revealing Gerardo Martino was a key factor in his decision to return to Rosario.
“I decided to come because I talked to the right person, Martino,” he said, before speaking of his fondness for the club.
“Maxi [Rodriguez] and I are here because we wanted to come, and that speaks of the affection one can have for these colours.”
“The truth is that I have been thinking about coming back for quite some time,” he added. “It has given me a tremendous joy, because I have come home… I’ve made the decision and I hope to God that is a good [one], and if I am wrong, I will not care because it is one I took [with my] heart.”