Pablo Hernandez will depart Leeds United for good this summer, ending a five-year association with the Elland Road club, but with friendships which will undoubtedly last a lifetime.
Hernandez was emotional as he left the field against West Bromwich Albion late last month, with many of the 8,000 Whites fans in attendance equally moved by the standing ovation.
He and longest-serving current player Gaetano Berardi will leave Leeds on June 30th following separate agreements with the club to end their professional relationships.
Berardi's contract expires this month, meaning his departure was a foregone conclusion, however Hernandez's deal still had a year left to run, meaning he could have remained at Leeds if he so desired.
Instead, an understanding was reached and Hernandez has been allowed to return to his native Spain where he intends to finish his career.
There have been rumours concerning where Hernandez will appear next; whether it will be for CD Castellon, his hometown club which he owns a stake in or if retirement may suit the 36-year-old better.
Speaking to Radio Marca, Hernandez has set the record straight over his plans for the future, outlining he has no intention of cutting his career short.
"My last game with Leeds was like a farewell," he said.
"Next season I will look for other interesting options."
While there is no confirmation as yet regarding which club he will appear for, there have been links to Cartagena in the Spanish Segunda Division.
Castellon also appears a likely destination considering his links to the club at boardroom level.
During his interview with Radio Marca, Hernandez was also questioned on his former teammate Rodrigo Moreno receiving a late call-up to the Spanish squad for the European Championships.
"I did not expect it, it has been a surprise for everyone. I suppose that Luis Enrique will want to have more players in case there were other positive ones," he said.
The Spanish camp has been forced to call-up reserves such as Rodrigo and West Ham's Pablo Fornals after Sergio Busquets tested positive for COVID-19.
"He [Rodrigo] has played the majority of games as a [more] defensive midfielder with Bielsa and it has been where he has enjoyed the most," Hernandez added.
"In addition to being a great player, he can play on the wing as well. In any of those positions he can do well. He has shown also that he can score and could be important for the National Team."
