Dani Rodríguez: “I'm as excited as a child about this opportunity” 

On Friday, C.D. Leganés presented Dani Rodríguez as its newest player. The Galician midfielder arrives after an extensive career in Spanish soccer, having spent the last seven and a half seasons playing for R.C.D. Mallorca.

The club's director of football, Andrés Pardo, began the ceremony by welcoming the player: "I would like to start by sending a big hug to the families of the victims of the train accidents. I would like to thank Dani for placing his trust in us. He is a player who needs little introduction, with many games and goals behind him and incredible enthusiasm. We welcome him and hope he will give us a lot between now and the end of the season“.

For his part, Dani Rodríguez began by saying, ”Thank you all for welcoming me. I am very grateful for the opportunity, I am very excited and eager to get started. I have been waiting a long time to be on the pitch. I feel like one of the team and that speaks very well of the group".

Physical condition: “I feel very good. I trained with Mallorca until almost the end, I've been training separately for three weeks, but I've been very professional and training a lot. I'm lacking that competitive rhythm, but I feel good and when you're excited, what's missing passes quickly”.

Leganés: "The operation was very quick. I was in talks with some clubs, but the wait was taking forever. What I wanted was to play after not being able to do so for a while, to feel like a footballer again. They showed me their confidence and I'm delighted to be playing again, eternally grateful for this opportunity. You always have to be where they believe in you, and I didn't hesitate for long“.

Position on the field: ”After so many years playing, I find it easy to adapt to different positions. In all midfield positions, on the wing... I'll try to contribute as much as possible, character, intensity... It's important for the category and I think I can do it“.

Igor Oca: ”We talked about his idea of the game, the system, what he's going to ask of me as a player. My first impressions are very good with the coaching staff, the group, the club. They've made me feel super comfortable from day one. The coach too. That's the key, to adapt as quickly as possible and give what the coach asks for“.

What he can bring to the team: ”Despite being 37 years old, I'm really excited to play after a difficult period. All I wanted was to be part of a group, I'm as excited as a 20-year-old. I think I can contribute a lot and I'm going to try to do that from now on, training as hard as I can and giving everything I have“.

Available from this Saturday: ”From the moment you start, you're just another player. It depends on the coach and his decisions, we have to train and be available, and I'm perfectly available".

First impressions: ”When you're in the First Division, the day-to-day atmosphere is a little different. The group is very human, close-knit, the players, the coaching staff, and the club. Everyone is super friendly, and that makes you feel at home from the very first minute“.

A team that doesn't score many goals: ”I hope I can help, especially with the number I've been given. We all want to contribute a lot. I like to come in and contribute with goals and assists, and I hope I can do that soon because the team needs it, and so do I".

Role: “I don't know. I try to train as hard as I can and I'll try to adapt to the group with my characteristics. The coach will decide. I'm delighted and I've felt part of the group from day one, and that's thanks to the club and the players”.

Nickname “El tigre de Betanzos” (The Tiger of Betanzos): "It was because of a joke video in Mallorca that went viral. It defines my character a little, and I'm delighted with it“.

Challenge: ”I'm very excited. The team isn't in the position I expected at the start of the league, but it's a challenge. It's a very long season, there are still a lot of games to play, and we have to work hard, believe, get excited with our fans starting tomorrow, and try to get a win so we can look the other way".

Message to the fans: "I understand that we're not in the best position, but there are twenty games left and that's a long way off. I invite you to get excited. I've been told that dreams come true in Leganés and we have to work hard and get excited to think about other things. That's how we have to approach it. I'm a player who has played in almost every division and you have to think about big goals wherever you are. I come with that mentality of helping to get excited and think about big things“.

Ontime Butarque: ”It will be different to play at home. I'm looking forward to feeling the atmosphere in the stadium. There has been a record number of members and although tomorrow won't be a great day, it's important that they cheer us on. Last year I was lucky enough to score and I hope to do so again this year in this shirt".

Personal care: “Behind my name there is always a number that sometimes detracts. I feel very good, I take care of all the details in my daily life, food, rest... It's something that has been part of me for several seasons and you reap the rewards when the years go by and you continue to perform at a high level. I take care of absolutely everything”.

Advice to others: “When you have goals that you're not achieving, that pressure or fear of failure is there. Experience gives you the confidence to face those difficult situations in the game and take on responsibilities. I'm a guy with character on the field and I'll try to take on those responsibilities”.

Number 9: “It's a number I haven't used in my entire career, it's for another position, but I'm delighted”.

Andrés Pardo: “Dani's arrival solves some of our problems in attack, but we'll be keeping an eye on any situations that may arise in the final days of the transfer window.”

End of the transfer window: “We're really excited about it, it couldn't be any other way. We're not where we want to be, but we have to be hopeful in order to tackle the things we believe are necessary”.

Renewals: “We have ten days left in the transfer window. We're always on the lookout. At the beginning, we had some renewal situations and we're still on the lookout”.

Attack: "We're going to be on the lookout for anything that happens during the transfer window. We've been aware of Dani's situation for some time, we've had to keep an eye on it and when we've been able to, we've done so. We're aware that his arrival solves some of our problems in attack due to his versatility and that of other players we already had in the squad. There is still a long way to go, and we will be attentive to any situations that may arise and address them if we deem it necessary“.

Needs: ”I can't give you a number because it ties your hands. You have to see how the situation unfolds and what it can offer you. We have free slots, but we have to be convinced. We don't know what will happen in these ten days".

Michelin: “I never talk about players who are here. We may be interested, but that interest may disappear. It's not worth it because it clouds the situation in the dressing room. I don't talk about possibilities”.

Forward: "Without anything being finalized, it's a possibility that no one will come in there. We'll be on the lookout for everything, but it's true that Dani solves a lot of problems for you in attack. We have Álex and Diego, but also Duk and Óscar Plano, who have also played as number nines. That doesn't mean there won't be a new signing there, but it will be because we are 100% convinced. We have solutions, but that doesn't mean that if a good opportunity comes up and it's finalized, we won't go for it without any problem".