Sergio Álvarez: Signing for Eibar is an opportunity that has come at a perfect time in my career
The Asturian midfielder was unveiled earlier on today an as Armeros player
Sergio Álvarez, who has joined SD Eibar on a four-year deal, declared at his unveiling that joining the Guipuzcoan outfit is "an opportunity that has come at a perfect time in my career".
Eibar's latest signing, who has checked in from R. Sporting, was presented to the media at Ipurua in a press conference in which he was joined by the club's director of football, Fran Garagarza.
"As soon as I learned of Eibar's interest, I was in no doubt. I knew that this is a club where I was going to feel very comfortable and really fit in. When the chance to join Eibar, a club that's doing really well in Primera División, came along, I realised that it was a great opportunity. Eibar have given me the chance to compete at the highest level".
"I'm delighted to be here. Firstly, I want to thank the club for their efforts in bringing me here. I've achieved what I wanted to and am very happy here. I'm now raring to get down to work. I can't wait to focus and get myself up to speed with my teammates".
Álvarez, who has been handed the number 6 shirt, was keen to point out that he hasn't joined the club to replace Dani García. "Dani was a really key player for Eibar. I haven't come here to replace him, I'm just here to offer what I can out on the pitch. As I gain an understanding of what the team needs, I'll adapt to the role that the gaffer asks me to perform. My aim is to be at my best as soon as possible and give the gaffer some tough decisions. There's clearly a good level of competition for places here and I'll have to push hard to play".
For his part, Garagarza noted that "It's been tough, but in the end we managed to do the deal". "He's very well known by our scouting staff from his time at Sporting".
"He was our first choice for that midfield role. He'll strengthen the middle third, alongside Pape (Diop), Gonzalo (Escalante) and Joan (Jordán), with the individual qualities each of them bring to the side. We believe that there are aspects of his game that are really important for the style of football we play".
"We shouldn't be comparing him to Dani García. Footballers go through processes, periods of their career and have different experiences and I wouldn't want Sergio to be labelled as Dani's successor", stressed Garagarza.