Morata: ‘I’ve come here because of the club’s ambition, the project and because it’s the best place for me to be’

C.D. Leganés presented Álvaro Morata as their new player this Friday at the Ontime Butarque Stadium. The Madrid-born striker, who has joined on loan with an option to buy from Italian side Como, expressed his delight at his arrival in Leganés.

The club’s director of football, Andrés Pardo, opened the welcome ceremony for Morata: “I could say so many things today. It’s a pleasure to have Álvaro here. We’ve had some fun chatting on the phone over the past few weeks. There’s no need to go into his career in detail. He’s played for some of Europe’s top teams, is one of the most highly valued players in terms of transfer fees, and every club in Europe considered him to be the best. We’re very proud of him. He’s made a brave decision; he had offers from loads of clubs, but it’s his courage that’s made all the difference. On that first call, he had that look of excitement in his eyes and the courage to play in the Second Division”.

For his part, Morata said he was “very happy. I wanted to thank Eduardo and Andrés for all your support. That’s the most important thing. I’m quite sentimental by nature and, although there are plenty of jokes about my career, I always try to go where I feel most valued. Thanks to the club and the owners, who have made a significant effort to bring me here”.

“I’m here to help in every way I can, and I believe the coming years for Leganés are going to be fantastic”

Message from the club: “Convincing. They believed in me and I believed in the project; there was no need to persuade me. It was an easy decision. In life, it’s not all about playing in the Champions League or winning trophies. I’ve come through some difficult years in which I’ve faced many personal challenges. I’ve had to fight against a lot of criticism, and signing for Leganés makes me feel like I did on my first day – like a young lad signing for his first club. It’s nice not to focus on the league tier or any other factors. I’m at home here, and that was the hardest part. I could have gone somewhere with fewer footballing demands; the Segunda División is sometimes more demanding than the Primera. I’m here to help in every way, and I think the coming years for Leganés are going to be fantastic”.

Buy-out clause: “I’d really like to stay here. You get a feel for things quickly, and my first impressions have made me really keen to come back tomorrow. I hope the results go our way; I can promise that I’ll give it my all to meet our targets. Fighting for promotion to the First Division is also a historic achievement.”

The story behind the signing: “I had a conversation with my manager and friend, and I wasn’t going to be a key part of his plans. I spoke to my agent and we started looking at options, both in Spain and abroad with clubs competing in the Champions League. But I needed to rediscover myself as a player. The opportunity Leganés are giving me is fantastic. I’m delighted to be back home; I’m really looking forward to it. I have to thank the owners and the club for their efforts; I’m absolutely delighted.”

“The happiness I feel right now is going to make everything easier”

Physical and mental fitness: “I’m flying in both areas (laughs). I’ve had a lot of labels attached to me throughout my career; you don’t want to pay attention to what’s being said, but videos and comments keep popping up in all the groups. I’m fine, ready for what’s coming, and with the happiness I’m feeling right now, it’s going to make everything easier.”

Expectations: “One of the first matches I came to with my dad was here at Butarque against Atlético de Madrid. They put me on as a ball boy and I’d never thought I’d end up playing for Leganés.”

What promotion would mean: “A team-mate, a while back, was playing in a Cup final and told me you never know which success will be your last. I couldn’t explain what it would mean; it’s very hard to achieve, and I’m going to give it my all to bring my experience to bear in the tough moments – which there will be, just like in every season.”

Responsibility: “I always feel it. Leganés have to be amongst the promotion contenders, and I’ve felt the pressure ever since I was young. Sometimes it helps you; you have to value every match, and every point makes a significant difference. I know the responsibility that comes with it, that there will be a lot of eyes on us here, and I’m ready.”

‘I’m really motivated and keen to celebrate victories’

Franchise player: ‘Mentally, I’m in a good place. My job is to be a footballer and I have to be ready for any situation on the pitch. I’m really motivated and can’t wait for my wife and children to see me score goals, celebrate victories and be there for each other even in the toughest moments.’

Coming home: “It’s also tricky because you have to make plenty of time for your loved ones. There’s an incredible, really positive atmosphere here, and I’m really looking forward to them cheering the team on to the max. It’s very important to win tomorrow.”

Dreams: “To be in the top flight next year, for it to be a great season, and for the club to continue the progress it’s making.”

A season in the Second Division: “It’s going to demand a lot. Every league has its own challenges. I’ve already played in this division with Castilla, and that’s where we developed as players. I know what the matches are like; I really love football and I know we have to be at our best week in, week out and treat every match with respect.”

“I’ve come here because it’s the best place for me to be”

A good decision: “It already is. What happens on the pitch and achieving our objectives are absolutely crucial. You can do that whilst enjoying a really pleasant atmosphere amongst the lads, and it’s nothing like the past. I’ve come here because this is the best place I could be.”

How my team-mates have welcomed me: “Very well. I was a bit nervous – when you meet your new team-mates, they have to be more than just colleagues. When a team is fighting for a goal, it has to be more than just a group. I hope to bring the whole group together as much as possible; I’ll treat them to a meal to mark my arrival and I hope they feel comfortable with me. I want them to be happy, to help them in every way and for them to lend me a hand too.”

Getafe: “I don’t know if it’ll cause a stir or not. I’ve never played there at a professional level and I’m here because they wanted me to be here. I wish them all the best; I’ve still got time before I retire. I’m very grateful for how they helped me as a child and I’ll never forget it.”

Shirt number 21: “There weren’t many to choose from. The number doesn’t matter. I asked the kids which one they liked and they liked 21. I did quite well when I wore it and I hope it goes well for me too.”

“I’m going to give it my all and that’s my aim”

Familiar faces in the squad: “Tejero messaged me; I also know Lalo from training with him, and I played alongside Ignasi in the Under-17s squad. I’ve already told them I’m coming here with all the enthusiasm in the world, without worrying about the division. Sergio González has messaged me to wish me luck – it’s the little gestures like that that are appreciated.”

Returning to the national team: “It’s not a goal in itself. It’s part of life. I’ve played nearly 90 matches and scored 37 goals for the national team, and I happened to be out at the very best moment, but I’m proud of how I helped my teammates and the manager. I hope they keep winning and enjoying themselves, and that they keep inviting me to the finals. It’s a tricky time; a bad year means you miss out on the chance to play in a World Cup. But it’s the greatest thing, and I’m proud that Spain are world champions.”

What he’d like people to say about him at the end of the season: “That I’ve won the Pichichi and that we’ve been promoted. I can’t predict what’s going to happen. I’m going to give it my all, and that’s my aim.

I’ve always pressed like a beast and given my all on the pitch, and that’s my aim – to go home and say I could have done more.”

Aims: “I’m here for whatever’s needed, through tough times and good times. I like enjoying the good moments, joking around, putting on music, organising team dinners, playing board games. If they like that too, it won’t be hard for me to fit in.”

Andrés Pardo: “The fact that a player like him takes the time to study the club says a lot about him”

The signing process: “The news broke on the very day everything was due to be finalised. We weren’t happy about it because we were working behind the scenes, and just as things were about to be sorted out, it came out and I had to speak up at the Sancris presentation. Now we can talk about him.”

How the signing came about: “We showed ourselves as we are. I had the freedom to send him a voice message in the evening; we’ve spoken a lot, and that speaks volumes about his commitment. I didn’t have to push the issue – on the first call, we realised he knew everything about the club. The fact that a player like him takes the time to research the club says a lot about him.”

How do you approach a signing like this: “At first, you can’t help but smile and think, ‘it’s not going to be possible’. The owners, the club, are very ambitious. We knew we still needed to sign a striker and we wanted him to be the best possible. His name came up and, with great respect, we spoke to his agent and began to consider it. It’s gone from strength to strength. Financially, we’ve had to make an effort, and we’re absolutely delighted to have done so. We’ve been on edge these last few days, but we’re very happy and excited. The league is very demanding; he knows that. It’s rated at a very high level and everything is a real struggle. We all have to help and support him – it’s not easy to score goals in the Segunda División. It’s going to be an absolute battle, and right now we’re only thinking about tomorrow’s match.”

First meeting: “I told him what I thought; I could have made a lot of points, but it went very smoothly and we showed ourselves as we are. It was natural. He saw something that resonated with him, and here he is.”

“Having Álvaro at his best is a real treat”

Financial arrangements and buy-out clause: “The club is doing a brilliant job. I could name many people – Eduardo, Martín – who ensure we don’t have to worry about that.”

What he can bring: “I’d be concerned if he were someone with a big ego or if I thought he wouldn’t fit into the group. He has a wealth of experience and we all have to learn from him. Looking at his personal and character traits, it was clear to us that he’ll add so much to an already excellent dressing room.”

Courage on both sides: “There have been difficult deals, but this one is a tough one. Having Álvaro at his peak is a real luxury. We’ve been very ambitious, but we have something very powerful beyond the results. The club is doing things very well and it’s a real privilege to work here.”

Squad complete: “It’s looking very good; we realised we were missing that striker and, in the end, there might be one more signing to be made official tomorrow. Something could still happen over the next few days, but it’s not as urgent as Álvaro’s arrival was.”