Real Betis captain Joaquin has described the club as his ‘entire life’ after signing a two-year contract extension until 2020.
The 36-year-old’s new deal at Los Verdiblancos, his boyhood club, will take him beyond his 39th birthday but he believes good times are around the corner for the Seville-based club.
“It's a special day for me, this club are my life,” Joaquin told a press conference on Friday.
“I came here as a kid and have learned how to love, to enjoy life, to suffer, to cry. I have learned many values and these identify me. Betis are my entire life.
“Where I am now is thanks to this wonderful club; it’s president, vice president, Fon Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, my teammates, my coaching staff, my employees, my love.
“I have played for many years but I feel the same now as I have before, I feel very lucky with each step and direction my career has taken.
“Modern football changes and your style changes but you must adapt. In recent years I have played as a playmaker, on the left or even ahead of the defence…but my football remains the same.
“Right now I have a lot of enthusiasm for myself and optimism for this club, I genuinely believe we are strengthening and soon we will see a big Betis. That is my dream and we will work towards it.”
