Leeds United defender Gaetano Berardi says his injury was a price worth paying for as he looks forward to turning out for the club in the Premier League.
Berardi, 32, penned a new one-year contract with Leeds on Friday, taking him up to the end of the 2020/21 season.
The Swiss defender, who is the club’s longest-serving first-team player having joined from Sampdoria in 2014, is currently undergoing rehabilitation after suffering an ACL tear during United's Championship win over Derby County in July.
However, the Whites have rewarded his loyalty with a new one-year deal as he plots a return to action.
“I always say I was not ready, but if there was a price to pay, I was ready for it,” Berardi told the club’s website.
“It is my job, so I was ready for it.”
Berardi has played a key role in United’s journey back to the Premier League, although his progress has been hampered by injury over the last two years having also struggled with a hamstring problem prior to his ACL tear.
However, the centre-back is hopeful he will have a chance to play for Marcelo Bielsa’s side before the end of this season as he continues his recovery program with the Whites’ medical staff.
“The recovery is going very well, I’m working with the medical staff and they are carrying out very professional work with me, so I am very happy with this,” he said.
“It’s a good feeling (to get a new contract). Of course, it is not the best situation for me with the injury and also for the club to sign a player like me in this moment.
“So, it’s a good feeling for me and I’m happy about this and would like to say thank you to the club for this.”
Berardi also said he hopes his contribution to Leeds’ rise over the last six years played a key role in the club’s decision to offer him fresh terms.
“I hope the club felt my contribution (over the past six years) to do it and, in my opinion, this is the biggest motivation to do it,” he added.
“There have been a lot of changes during my time here. Many good things have happened, some bad things, but I will always take the good things and my six years of being here has been a beautiful experience.
“I’m here trying to recover and taking my time, but in my head, I’m sure I will be fit in time to have a chance to train with the lads and do my best.
“I want to have a big part in the team, playing or not playing. At the moment I’m doing my job in a different way and I think the team knows this.”
