The new player of FC Andorra, Ecuadorian winger Kike Saverio, stated during his presentation that Gerard Piqué was key to signing with the club from the Principality, the second classified in group III-A of the Spanish Second Division B.
"To accept the offer from FC Andorra, Gerard Piqué called me, but I won't say what I talked to him about because they are private matters," he said.
Piqué, 34, is the owner of the club and a defender for FC Barcelona.
The presence of coach Eder Sarabia was also important for Kike Saverio, who had him towards the end of last season when the Basque coach was the assistant coach of Barça under Quique Setién.
"The fact that Eder was here was also a plus because I coincided with him in the last stretch of the season when I only trained with the Barça first team. I like the way he understands football and the passion he puts in," he said.
During the presentation press conference, he also talked about Ecuador. He grew up in Balzar, but arrived in Catalonia at the age of four. There, he played for Cornellà and later signed for FC Barcelona's Juvenil B team.
"I arrived in Catalonia at the age of four. I grew up there, but my country is Ecuador. It means a lot in my daily life, although there are people who think otherwise. I keep my country very present and hopefully one day I can represent it," he said.
Kike Saverio played for the Ecuador U-20 national team, but his goal is to reach the senior team. "It's the dream of every young player and this is to play for the senior national team of my country. What does it depend on? It depends on me," he said.
The Ecuadorian was on the bench on Wednesday, at the Ciudad Deportiva Dani Jarque, and did not play a single minute as he had just arrived from Pamplona. He is on loan from Osasuna, with whom he has a contract until 2023. His debut could take place, if Eder Sarabia deems it appropriate, against his former team last season, Barça B.
"I have talked to some of my former teammates and, well, we have made some jokes. I have a very good relationship with some of them. Especially with Jandro Orellana. It will be nice to see them again," he said.
-- Special greetings #SomTricolors -- #EspanyolBAndorra pic.twitter.com/XZNbBiFqQ1
— FC Andorra (@fcandorra) February 3, 2021
However, he is quite familiar with Sunday's opponent. "I won't lie. I haven't followed them much this year, but knowing García Pimienta, Barça B is a very organized team, very vertical, and wants to have the ball. I don't need to watch them much because I know quite well what this coach is looking for," he said.
The 21-year-old Ecuadorian winger will wear the number 11 jersey. "I'm a player who takes on a lot, who has skills, audacity, and that's what they ask of me. To be myself and be myself again. It's been a long time since I played, that's why I decided to leave Osasuna, in the end you don't have as much rhythm. I come here to feel like a player and be myself again," he concluded. (D)