OPINION
Leeds United fans were treated to some good news on Thursday as the club announced they had agreed terms on a two-year deal for attacking midfielder Pablo Hernandez.
As reported on the club’s official website, the 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a new contract that will see him stay at the club until the summer of 2020.
Hernandez has been nominated for the club’s player of the season award and is surely the favourite to win it after a season which has seen him score nine goals and provide ten assists in all competitions.
The announcement ends weeks of speculation surrounding the four-time Spain international, who was reportedly a target for former boss Garry Monk at Birmingham City.
Therefore, for Leeds to secure a deal for Hernandez is a coup in itself, with the veteran Spaniard wanted elsewhere, but there is one line in the official announcement that makes this an even bigger coup for the club.
The statement says: “His deal was due to expire this summer, but the club have moved to secure his services for the foreseeable future and are delighted Pablo has agreed to see out his career at Elland Road.”
This would seem to suggest that Hernandez has no plans to continue his playing days following the conclusion of this two-year deal, and Leeds fans will therefore be witnessing the twilight of his brilliant career.
Hernandez has been a brilliant servant of the club since joining on an initial loan in January 2017, and for him to commit the remaining years of his career to Elland Road is a treat.
He is the kind of player that Paul Heckingbottom must look to build around, with his commitment to the team undeniable and his experience vital as they chase promotion next season.
For him to commit the last two years of his career is massive, and he will hopefully be given the send-off he deserves with Leeds finally achieving promotion to the Premier League.