Jota Peleteiro: I had a sensation of unfinished business not playing with Eibar in the First Division
In his presentation, the new Gunsmiths’ player insisted that when he decided to return to play in Spain, he wanted it to be in Eibar
Jota Peleteiro, who will be playing on loan from the English club Brentford until June 2017, made it clear in his presentation in Ipurua that he was left “with the sensation of unfinished business not playing with Eibar in the First Division”.
Peleteiro was one of the heroes of the Eibar squad that won promotion to the First Division in the 2013-2014 season and was subsequently signed by the English club.
“I’m very happy and excited to come back here. This was always my home. When the chance to return to Spain came up, my agent knew I wanted to be in Eibar. When you want it and the club does as well, the agreement usually follows. The first contacts were with other clubs but when we found out about Eibar’s interest I didn’t see any other option apart from coming here,” he said in the press conference.
Jota said that the club “has grown in terms of facilities and structure”. “It’s a club that is high up the table in the First Division and growing month by month and I am very excited to join this project.”
About his chances of getting a foothold in the team, he said, “This is football and in any team you have to play well and win your place in the training sessions. I know I can play an important role but I’m going to have to win my place in training. I’m one hundred percent here for the team and now I have to convince the coach.”
As he mentioned, the ankle injury he suffered in August 2015 is “completely forgotten”. “I have been training flat out for a month and a half and I’ve played five games.”
Alex Aranzábal, president of SD Eibar, said that hiring Peleteiro in the winter transfer market was a sign that “we are trying to the correct mistakes of last year” when the team’s performance was significantly worse in the second half of the season.
“Today we are presenting an important player who is going to make a big contribution. This club has grown and continues to take steps to strengthen its position at the top level, which is an ambition that we take very seriously. We are consolidating the position of the club among the elite,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fran Garagarza, sporting director of the club, said the versatility of Jota means that the coach can use him in various positions, which represents an important strengthening of the team.
“The manager asked us about the possibility of bringing in a forward. If we can’t find a striker who will really help us and give us an edge, we won’t do it. If someone comes it must be to improve on what we have. If we find what we’re looking for we’ll do it, but not just thinking about this season but also about the next,” he said.