Villarreal has confirmed that veteran midfielder Dani Parejo will be leaving the club this summer, concluding a six-year tenure at La Ceramica. The 37-year-old has yet to reveal his future plans, leaving supporters uncertain whether he will retire or join another team.
Parejo’s departure was announced in an emotional video shortly after Celta Vigo confirmed Iago Aspas would remain with them for another season. The experienced midfielder joined Villarreal from Valencia in 2020 for €2.25 million and became a cornerstone of the team’s midfield during his time with the Yellow Submarine.
Parejo’s contribution to Villarreal has been significant, particularly during his spell with the club. Despite joining in his thirties, he enjoyed what could be considered the most impactful period of his career. He was instrumental in Villarreal’s historic triumph in the 2021 Europa League final, where they defeated Manchester United on penalties, securing the club’s sole major trophy. Throughout his time at the club, Parejo made 269 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 36 assists.
In the current season, Parejo’s role has seen a reduction, a trend that also occurred last year under Marcelino Garcia Toral. This season, he has started 18 matches and appeared in 40 games overall, contributing one assist. His final appearance for Villarreal will be this Sunday evening against Atletico Madrid, during which the club plans to honor him.
Considered one of Villarreal’s greatest players, Parejo ranks ninth on the club’s all-time appearance list. It remains to be seen if he will retire from playing. However, he is currently pursuing his coaching badges, with aspirations of becoming a manager. With a career spanning 18 years at the highest level since his debut for Real Madrid, Parejo has extensive experience in football. While he may still be capable of competing in La Liga, his future intentions are unclear. Reports suggest that Villarreal is considering Luis Milla as a potential successor.
English Translation:
Villarreal has announced that veteran midfielder Dani Parejo will depart the club this summer, marking the end of his six-year stint at La Ceramica. The 37-year-old has not yet disclosed whether he plans to retire or pursue a new club.
Less than an hour after Celta Vigo announced that Iago Aspas would be staying at Balaidos for another season, Parejo’s departure was revealed through an emotional video. The experienced midfielder joined from Valencia in 2020 for €2.25 million and set a high standard in midfield for the Yellow Submarine for a considerable period.
Despite arriving in his thirties, Parejo arguably experienced the best period of his career at Villarreal. He was pivotal in dictating the tempo in the center of the park and was a key figure when the Yellow Submarine clinched the club’s only major title, defeating Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final on penalties. In total, he has made 269 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 36 assists.
This season, his playing time has diminished, a situation that also occurred last year under Marcelino Garcia Toral. Throughout the current season, he has made 18 starts and 40 appearances in total, registering a single assist. This Sunday night will mark his final game for Villarreal against Atletico Madrid, where the club will pay tribute to him.
Arguably one of the finest players in Villarreal’s history, Parejo ranks ninth on Villarreal’s all-time appearance list. It is not yet clear if he will hang up his boots, but he is currently undertaking his coaching badges with the aim of becoming a manager. With a career spanning 18 years at the top level since his debut for Real Madrid, Parejo has seen more than enough football to consider retiring as a player, yet he still appears comfortable on the La Liga stage. Villarreal is reportedly exploring Luis Milla as a potential replacement.
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