Etxeberria signs to play for free

[Jazz 16]

In a footballing world of greed and astronomical wages this is a refreshing story.
This is what real loyalty is.

Joseba Etxeberria has signed a one-year contract extension with Athletic Bilbao
which will see him play the final season of his career for nothing.

The former Spain international agreed the deal with his current contract due to
expire at the end of this season.

Etxeberria said he wanted to end his career as an Athletic player, adding: "I
wanted to do this gesture but never did I want to set a precedent."

Midfielder Etxeberria, 31, joined the club from Real Sociedad aged 17.

He hopes to reach the landmark of having played 500 games when he retires
after a 15-year career at San Mames.

"It's an idea I've had for years," added Etxeberria, who played at the 1998 World
Cup and two European Championships for Spain.

Club president Fernando Garcia Macua said: "From the club's standpoint there are
not words enough to thank such a gesture."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...pe/7649109.stm

[piazza]

That's the ultimate show of love for your club. Cheers to him.

[RichardsReds]

Lets see if Giggs, Neville or Scholes will do the same.

[manutd004]

Great gesture.

Not enough players with his kind of attitude in todays game unfortunately.

[jerrakos]

Great gesture.

Not enough players with his kind of attitude in todays game unfortunately.

agreed all players want these days is money, money, money.

[Zense_United]

this is what we call legend,
honest, loyalty, to the club!

[andersons_left_foot]

good on him its good to see players are still loyal to the one club

much like our own ryan giggs scholes and nev although heres me doubting they would play for free

[PeeJay]

Would Rooney, Rio or Keane have played for free?

[Owenzy]

Would Rooney, Rio or Keane have played for free?

I honest to God think that if Rooney was told he had to start playing for £1000 a week, he would. Doubtful about Rio and I think Keane would definitely play for free.

[PeeJay]

Keane, the one who refused to sign a contract if he didn't get a wage rise?

And Rooney definitely wouldn't.

[Owenzy]

We shall agree to disagree

[PeeJay]

We can agree that your Keane bias has been found out as well.

[VaVa]

Get off your high horse PeeJay. I found you bias towards him out on at least two occasions in another thread.

At the end of the day it's you, CH and Ste that look stupid for your issues against a former red..... it's a United forum.

Grow up!

[PeeJay]

Get off your high horse PeeJay. I found you bias towards him out on at least two occasions in another thread.

At the end of the day it's you, CH and Ste that look stupid for your issues against a former red..... it's a United forum.

Grow up!

What are you on? High horse? Issues against a former red? I listed three players, three
players that most supporters consider loyal, and juxtaposed them with Etxeberria. Two of
those three players were English.

[VaVa]

You called Owenzy bias did you not?

[Owenzy]

We can agree that your Keane bias has been found out as well.

There's nothing to find out, I'm openly extremely biased when it comes to Roy Keane.

[PeeJay]

There's nothing to find out, I'm openly extremely biased when it comes to Roy Keane.

That's fine. Glad we got that cleared up.

[VaVa]

There's nothing to find out, I'm openly extremely biased when it comes to Roy Keane.

^^Nice one lol

Could've kept the argument going tho and had a go at him

[versa]

^^Nice one lol

Could've kept the argument going tho and had a go at him

PeeJay is very objective on players most of the time (except Fletcher at first thought). But not on female members here.

[VaVa]

He can be bias too.... just think it was a little rich him calling someone else bias.