'I'm Very Grateful To The Club' – Iborra On Villarreal's Leicester Visit
- Villarreal visit King Power Stadium for a friendly encounter this Wednesday (7:45pm kick-off)
- Former City midfielder and current Villarreal star Vicente Iborra spoke to LCFC TV this week
- The Spaniard is looking forward to returning to Leicester and taking on the FA Cup holders
- He expects a competitive battle between 'two big teams' ahead of 2021/22
The former Fox made 37 appearances during his one-and-a-half-year spell at King Power Stadium between 2017 and 2019, scoring four goals, before moving to his current club, the reigning UEFA Europa League winners.
As City prepare to meet The Yellow Submarine in a friendly ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, Iborra caught up with LCFC TV about his time in the country and how he reacted to the news that he would be able to return this week, admitting that Leicester will always hold a place in his heart.
“I’m so happy to speak with you and, of course, to be here,” the 33-year-old commented. “It was great news for me because I like to follow Leicester City, I like to follow the games. Leicester is very important in my career.
Vicente Iborra
Iborra signed for the Foxes from Sevilla in July 2017.
“I speak with some friends there and when I left Leicester, I could not be there to say goodbye and I think it’s a good moment for me to be there now to see some friends.
“I’m very grateful to the Club, the owners and the fans as well. I always felt a lot of love from them and I’m looking forward to being there and in King Power Stadium to enjoy the supporters and to see some ex-team-mates and some ex-employers.”
Although his 2020/21 season was cut short by injury, Iborra was able to claim a winner’s medal in European competition and is working his way back to fitness ahead of Wednesday’s game, with tickets still available to purchase.
“I’m enjoying it a lot, I’m close to my family,” the Spaniard continued. “I’m happy playing for Villarreal, with the club and the supporters, and my time here is very good, I’m enjoying playing football every day. Everything is good.
Vicente Iborra
Iborra has captained Villarreal during his time at The Yellow Submarine.
“The last months were very difficult for me because I was injured but I think last season was great for the club, for the team and we won the Europa League. That was brilliant for the city.
“I think it will be a good game between two big teams. Of course, it’s a friendly, but we are close to competing. Leicester are in the Premier League and we are close to the start of La Liga and the Super Cup Final. For them and for us, it will be a good opportunity to keep growing as a team.”
Iborra praised the support he has received from the Blue Army since his time at the Club, citing the backing as a reason for his continued following of City’s results. He’s also pleased with how Leicester have progressed in the years since his departure.
Vicente Iborra
The Spanish midfielder's final Premier League goal came away at Brighton & Hove Albion in March 2018.
He added: “I have received a lot of messages from the fans; on Twitter, on Instagram, not only right now. From when I left Leicester, I’ve had a lot of messages and that’s why I keep following the team and the Club.
“I think I’m one of them. I’m a Fox and I’m very happy because the Club keeps growing and are playing to a good level in the Premier League and, next season, they will play in the Europa League again.
“I’m happy to travel to Leicester, hear my song and to be there with the fans. For me, it’s a little bit of a pity to have left so soon, but the most important thing is the Club and the people there and my ex-team-mates.”
All times BST.
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