Having recently signed a new long-term contract with the club, Valencia captain Jose Luis Gaya has revealed why he opted against joining another European giant in favour of staying at the Mestalla.
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Gaya recently inked a contract extension with Los Che, one that runs until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Having seen a mass exodus of their star players, with the likes of Dani Parejo, Ferran Torres, Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Soler all leaving in recent years, the left-back has gone against the grain and committed his long-term future to the only club he has ever played for.
The dynamic fullback was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona during the off-season, and speaking ahead of his side's encounter with the Blaugrana this weekend, the Valencia captain revealed the reason behind his decision to renew his contract and what it means to play for the club.
"Well, I was brought up here since I was 11, since I was at the Valencia academy. But even before that I was always a Valencia fan," the Spain international admitted in a video press conference Soccer Laduma attended.
"To be a fan of a club, then to be able to represent that club. As a player, as a captain and to have been through all the different younger phases through the good times and the bad times.
"Valencia has given me everything, always. They've always supported me, even from when I was a very young child.
"So I am really happy at Valencia and I have always said that. The day I am not happy here, and I am not contributing what I think should I be able to contribute, I will be the first one to say it.
"Today I am really excited and happy to be a part of the squad."
Now that he has the armband permanently, the Pedreguer-born defender also revealed what the most endearing quality about former club captain Parejo was and what the most valuable lesson he learnt from the Spanish playmaker is.
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"I learnt a lot from him, in the fact that he has been through difficult times at the club, but he always came on again and always tried to turn the whole situation around when things weren't going well," he told Soccer Laduma.
"He went from a player who was questioned and whistled at times, even at the Mestalla Stadium. Then he turned out to be an idol for all the fans.
"So I think this is the most important thing a player can do, to turn the thing completely around. Going from complicated times to a well-loved player."
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