Carvajal: I’ve grown a lot

Dani Carvajal has been presented to the media today as a Real Madrid player and reflected on the value in his year away in Germany.

A year ago the full-back was sold by Los Blancos to Bayer Leverkusen in a €5m deal but, having impressed during 2012-13, was bought back 12 months later as part of a previously agreed €6.5m clause.

Today saw the 21-year-old presented to the media as a member of Madrid’s first team.

“Thank you to the President, the club and the fans for the support they have given me,” Carvajal stated.

“I want to thank them for the trust shown in me for 10 years and for the year that I was not here. Due to this I am here for you now.

“I have fought for the dream that today marks. I’m the happiest person in the world and every game I play I will leave everything on the pitch for this club and this team.

“The club works hard with the objective of reaching the first team. Since I was little I have worked towards this.

“I do not want to be an example to follow, but I want to encourage the homegrown players to work every day. This is a dream for a homegrown player.

“Whether you are young or old, you want to take on the world. In the 10 years I have been here I have been taught to respect the decisions of the Coaches.

“Did I have doubts about returning? Since the day I left, we came to a mutual agreement. Nobody gave up.

“If I had stayed then I would not be sitting here now. The dream is to belong to the first team.

“Was I not ready a year ago? That decision rested with the club, the Coach and the first team. If I sit here now, then it is because the right decision was made.

“I was missing in elements to be able to compete with world class players and now I have come to give my best.

“I believe that the club’s decision and mine was to leave to develop. Living alone and in another country is a great experience.

“I hung out with friends, matured at a sporting level and tried to give my best in every training session and game.

“Now I feel that I have grown a lot.”

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