Paraguayan striker Carlos Javier ‘Torito’ Acuña claimed this Friday, during his official presentation as a new player for the Alicante club Hercules, that he became a fan of this team years ago because his fellow countryman Nelson Haedo Valdez played on it.

"I know he left a great memory. Not many Paraguayans have been in the first division and when he arrived, I followed him. Hercules - a team that plays in the Second Division B - has always been a club that I liked and I became a fan because Haedo was there", said Acuña, and pointed out that he will try to "do as well or better" than his compatriot.

Acuña stated that he arrives at Hercules "happy and eager to contribute" and does not consider that, after several years in the first and second division, playing in the Segunda B is a step back in his career.

"Carmelo del Pozo (sports director of Hercules) spoke to me clearly from the beginning. I liked the project and I was convinced that I wanted to come," explained the Paraguayan, who praised the "humility" with which the Hercules coach spoke to him.

The striker described himself as a "hardworking and humble player who never gives up on a ball". "I may have more or less quality, but no one takes away my enthusiasm," he stressed.

Acuña admitted feeling more comfortable as a center forward, although he recalled that in recent seasons he has played more on the wing.

"I try to help wherever they put me, but I have done better up front," said the Paraguayan, who downplayed his poor goal-scoring numbers in recent seasons: "They only judge us for that and not for the opportunities we create or the ones we provide to our teammates".

Acuña does not feel intimidated by the Segunda B, a category in which he remembered that he already has experience from his time at Castilla and Cádiz. "I will try to adapt as quickly as possible, as always. I have played in it before and it went well for me," he concluded.