Ex-Man Utd star Ander Herrera set for emotional return after PSG contract termination

Former Manchester United star Ander Herrera could be set to move back to boyhood side Athletic Bilbao in an emotional return to the Basque Country after leaving PSG

Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

17:18, 24 Aug 2022

Lionel Messi of PSG celebrates his second goal on a penalty kick with Ander Herrera during the UEFA Champions League group A match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Club Brugge KV at Parc des Princes stadium on December 7, 2021 in Paris, France.

Ander Herrera could be set for an emotional hometown return(Image: Getty Images)

Former Manchester United star Ander Herrera could be set for an emotional return to hometown side Athletic Bilbao.

The Spaniard has found game time increasingly hard to come by at PSG, and he has agreed to terminate his deal two years early. Herrera is now set to return to Bilbao, where he spent three successful years before moving to United.

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According to Spanish outlet MARCA, Herrera will pen a two-year deal with the Basque side, with the option of an additional 12 months. If Herrera completes the switch, it will almost a decade since he first left his home city.

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Herrera was born in Bilbao, but despite growing up an Athletic fan, he rose through the ranks of rivals Real Zaragoza.

However, he got the opportunity to join Athletic in the summer of 2011, going on to make 128 appearances during an impressive three-year spell. He played under future Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa as Athletic put the continent on notice by destroying the Red Devils.

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And it was United who came calling for the youngster in 2014.

What do you think about Ander Herrera returning to his boyhood side? Let us know in the comments section

Ander Herrera left Athletic Bilbao in 2014(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

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Ander Herrera of Manchester United celebrates with teammate Jesse Lingard after scoring his sides second goal during The Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium on April 21, 2018 in London, England.

Ander Herrera's love for Manchester United remains strong(Image: Getty Images)

Herrera later said: "I would never have left Athletic if it hadn’t been for a club like United.

"I left a different, unique club, with a special philosophy and incredible people. It’s a club that few of us have had the privilege of playing for and, who knows, but for United, I might have been there 10 years."

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