Pablo Hernandez asked why he signed new Leeds contract

Follow us on Google Discover

Pablo Hernandez has handed Leeds United a major boost heading into the summer by signing a new contract.

Pablo Hernandez has told LUTV that it was an easy decision for him to decide to sign a new contract at Leeds due to the fans, while he also said that he is determined to lead the Whites back to the Premier League.

Hernandez has enjoyed another excellent season at Elland Road, often proving to be Leeds’ talisman when they have been crying out for someone to make something special happen out of nothing. And questions about his future had left fans sweating somewhat.

The Spaniard’s deal with the Whites expired this summer, and the Sunday Mirror (18/03; page 65) reported that former Leeds boss Garry Monk was keen to bring the 33-year-old to Birmingham at the end of the season. However, he has seemingly put any concerns to bed with Leeds confirming on their official website that he has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal.

And Hernandez seemed to suggest that there was no plan to consider leaving the club when asked why he had signed the new contract, while he also paid tribute to the fans.

“It’s an easy decision for me. I always said I wanted to stay here because I think this is a big club with unbelievable fans, unbelievable history. It’s a team that deserves to play in the Premier League and for me, now it’s a challenge to help the team go to the Premier League in the next two years,” he told LUTV when asked why he had signed the deal.

“Very important. I feel they support me always. I like them and this made the decision easier for me,” he added when asked how important a factor the fans had been in his decision.

It is arguably a major vote in confidence for current head coach Paul Heckingbottom that Hernandez has committed the next two years to Leeds given that the playmaker is beginning to reach the twilight of his career.

If he did not see light at the end of the tunnel, he could have quite easily snubbed any talk of a new deal and made a move to St Andrew’s, that would have undoubtedly appealed to Hernandez given that it would have seen him work with Monk for a third time in his career.

But by deciding to stay at Leeds, perhaps Hernandez has hinted that he sees the club having the kind of potential that will allow them to put this season behind them and put themselves in the promotion picture before his deal expires.