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26.08.2009 18:19
Jorquera: “I’m taking away an incredible experience”
Vanessa Forns
In his final press conference as a Barça player, an emotional Albert Jorquera thanked all the people he has known during his career with Barça and told reporters: “I’m taking away an incredible experience”.
The press room at the Joan Gamper Sports Centre had an unusual look to
it on Wednesday afternoon. Apart from the usual reporters, the entire first team squad and coaching
staff were on hand to wish the goalkeeper luck in his new club Girona CF. Jorquera has clearly left
a deep impression
“It’s been a dream”
Also on hand at Jorquera’s farewell press conference were sports
vice-president Rafael Yuste, director of football Txiki Begiristain, and the director of football
and relations with sports bodies Raül Sanllehí.
On Tuesday it was announced that Jorquera is leaving the Club after 15 years
by mutual agreement. In a speech before reporters’ questions, an emotional Jorquera
stated that his time with Barça had been “a dream that I never thought would become a
reality”.
Heartfelt applause
At the same time, the keeper had a few words to say about his new club: “I want to thank Girona for believing in me. I’m starting out on a new phase about which I’m very excited and which I’m treating with the maximum professionalism”. He wished the Barça squad luck and ended with “¡Visca el Barça i visca el Girona!” (Long live Barça. Long live Girona).His words were greeted with prolonged and heartfelt applause from all present.
“Girona was the best offer”
Asked about the motives for his departure, Jorquera emphasised:
“It’s very difficult to leave your home. Guardiola has an idea for the goal and wants
two goalkeepers. The time comes when you have to take decisions and in footballing terms Girona was
the most beneficial offer for me”.
The successes
Finally, when asked what were the saddest and happiest moments of his time with FC Barcelona, the goalkeeper didn’t hesitate for an instant: “Without a doubt the saddest is now, leaving. There are many happy moments. The day I made my debut. The successes, of which there have been many. The fact of winning two Champions leagues and three leagues is something I would never have imagined”.
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“The squad is more united than ever”
Albert Jorquera made special reference to the team-mates that were on hand to support him on his
farewell. With his characteristic sense of humour he joked that the squad would be “really
affected” by his departure but then explained that he had spent many years in the Club with
some of them: “I’ll miss them a lot and I’m sure they’ll miss me. But
it’s a professional situation that they will understand perfectly. The squad is more united
than ever. I sure the successes will continue”.
