Borja Bastón: To play for Eibar has been a fundamental step in my career

FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER SENT BY BORJA BASTÓN TO SD EIBAR

After a time spent learning at clubs in the Second Division, the opportunity arose for me to choose my destination in the First Division (Primera). At last I stepped into a team in the top flight. Every boy’s dream comes true the day you make your début in the league that you have pursued for so many years, having passed through every level of the reserves.

Even so, as players we need continuity and confidence in order to be able to perform as well as we can on the pitch. And that it what I personally looked for after going through some years that were very intense, with some good moments to look back on and others that made me stronger and helped me to grow both as a person and as a player.

For a young man trying to make his way in football, finding yourself at a club that takes you in, looks after you, that makes you feel at home is fundamental. And all of this is what I found when I arrived at SD Eibar. From the first day I understood the philosophy of the club and enthusiastically faced the challenges we had before us.  As soon as I arrived I realised that I had got it right. What I couldn’t imagine is that the season would give me so much satisfaction.

During those first days I was caught-up in the enormous excitement that existed in the club and the city. To continue in the First Division was a bonus prize that we all wanted to make the most of. Right away I was hooked on the messages that obliged us to remain humble while renouncing nothing, to strengthen the togetherness in the group, to give the maximum of effort everyday and to learn from the mistakes made in previous years. 

All of these values: humility, union, work, dedication and effort were a constant throughout the year. Only in this way would we be able to stay-up and grow during the season. And so it proved. Day after day we felt stronger. That strength allowed us to feel comfortable on the field. That sense of comfort gave us the peace of mind necessary to achieve good results.

In the first few weeks I kept hearing about how SD Eibar had always been a formidable school for young players. They reminded me that Xabi Alonso or David Silva had passed through the club and of the progression they had made until becoming world champions. Everyone who told me that was right. SD Eibar is the perfect place to develop this growth.

My team mates, the coaching staff – in short the whole Club – have allowed me to fight all season for the honour of being the maximum national goalscorer in the division.  But apart from the goals that should accompany every forward, the experience gained will be essential for the further development of my professional career.

I have been very happy in Eibar. I have lived in the centre of the city, which has given me the chance to get to know its customs more and better, and I have completed an essential training for the future.  I have no doubt whatever, that this is the fundamental step in my footballing career.

At this point, all that is left for me to say is thank you to those who put their confidence in me, to all my team mates, the coaching staff, the director of football and the president. And, of course, to the magnificent fans who from the first day believed in a lad who was practically a rookie in the First Division, and have given me their boundless affection. Thank you Eibar and thank you SD Eibar. I don’t know if destiny will bring us together again, but the mark you have left on me is, and always will be, indelible.