Former PSG and Manchester United player Ander Herrera agrees to return to Real Zaragoza
Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera, known for his time alongside Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain, was officially announced as Real Zaragoza’s newest addition this Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Free on the market after ending his contract with Boca Juniors, the athlete signed for one season, marking his return to the club that revealed him 15 years ago, before his departure for Athletic Bilbao.
At 36 years old, Herrera arrives at Zaragoza in a delicate period for the Aragonese team, adding valuable experience to the squad. A graduate of the institution’s youth teams, he made his professional debut in 2009 and played for the team until 2011, when he was transferred to Athletic Bilbao due to financial difficulties faced by Zaragoza at the time. Even after the negotiation, the player remained until the end of the season before moving on to other major clubs in Europe.
His return to Spanish football comes a few days after finishing his journey at Boca Juniors, in Argentina. Throughout his career, the Spaniard spent time at European giants such as Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and had two separate opportunities at Athletic Bilbao, before joining the Argentine club.
In recent years, the player has faced a series of physical issues that have impacted his regularity on the field and limited his participation in matches. However, the possibility of wearing the Zaragoza shirt again gained momentum soon after his release from Boca Juniors.
In fact, this was not Herrera’s first attempt to return home. On a previous occasion, the midfielder even discussed a possible return to the club, both as a player and as a shareholder, but differences with the then owners prevented the agreement from being completed. At that time, he chose to follow another path in his career and transferred to Boca Juniors. Now, the reunion with his former team has finally come to fruition, with a one-season contract. At Zaragoza, he will reunite with his former Athletic Bilbao teammate, Ibai Gómez.
Remembering Ander Herrera’s partnership with Neymar at PSG
During his stay at Paris Saint-Germain, between 2019 and 2022, Ander Herrera shared the dressing room with Neymar, developing a close relationship with the Brazilian striker. Years later, the Spanish player recalled, in an interview with TyC Sports, memorable moments lived alongside the number 10, including participating in parties organized by Neymar during the period in which they played together in France.
The connection with Neymar contributed to Herrera becoming better known among football fans in Brazil. Now, the veteran begins a new stage in his career, returning to the club where he was formed. After a decade and a half, the midfielder will once again wear the Zaragoza shirt, the team for which he took his first steps as a professional before playing for Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, PSG and Boca Juniors.
