Lucas Pérez, the veteran Spanish footballer, has officially transferred to PSV Eindhoven after enduring a turbulent exit from his beloved Deportivo de La Coruña. His departure, which raised eyebrows and concerns among fans, was initially framed around personal issues, which he has since boldly addressed.
During his recent appearance on 'El Partidazo' with Cadena COPE, Pérez revealed the personal struggles behind his decision to leave Deportivo. "Me voy del Dépor porque sigue el tema de mi padre, me exige una manutención, una cantidad importante de dinero para el resto de su vida," he stated. This statement marks the first time Pérez publicly discussed the distressing family circumstances affecting his career.
Pérez's childhood was anything but typical; abandoned by his parents at the tender age of two, he was raised by his grandparents after spending time in an orphanage. His father’s recent legal demands for financial support have resurfaced old wounds. "Mis padres me dejaron allí porque no podían hacerse cargo de mí. Y me dejaron allí con 2 añitos. Mis abuelos se enteraron de esa situación y se hicieron cargo de mí," he recounted, shedding light on the gravity of his situation.
The challenging relationship with his family, coupled with the stress of his football career, likely contributed to his feelings of being unsupported at Deportivo. He noted, "Llevo unos meses hasta el día que me voy del Dépor con mucho estrés y agobio," illustrating the emotional toll this situation has had on him.
Fans of Deportivo, who have always rallied around Pérez, were privy to only portions of his struggles. Many were shocked when he announced his departure, believing he had left for vague reasons. Instead, the truth points to the culmination of personal challenges and contractual issues, leaving Pérez feeling undervalued and unsupported at his long-time club.
Pérez explained how the atmosphere at Deportivo deteriorated following changes within the club structure, making it increasingly difficult for him to remain focused on his game. He felt compelled to make the decision to leave to regain his peace of mind, stating, "He decidido ser honesto, decirle al club que lo estoy pasando mal y decido echarme a un lado. No estaba preparado para continuar después de lo que me había sucedido este año."A0
Despite his departure being rooted in personal distress, Pérez’s love for football remained strong. He expressed intentions of continuing his playing career and even noted, "Amo demasiado al fútbol como para dejarlo." His move to PSV Eindhoven presents both challenges and new opportunities, especially as he adjusts to playing outside of Spain once again.
The move from Deportivo to PSV came after months of speculation and negotiations, culminating when Pérez expressed his desire to relocate to be closer to his child, who resides in Madrid. This aspect of his life weighed heavily on his decisions, reflecting the emotional complexity he faces as both a father and professional athlete.
Having impressed coaches during negotiations, Lucas was eager to join PSV, recognizing it as another chance to prove himself after stints at clubs such as Arsenal and West Ham. He emphasized the patience the PSV leadership exhibited during the transition process, noting, "Tardé un poco más de lo previsto antes de llegar a un acuerdo por razones personales. He encontrado una solución para eso y estoy muy agradecido por el hecho de que la dirección del PSV haya tenido tanta paciencia."
Upon joining his new club, Lucas has expressed excitement over what the future holds and hopes to make significant contributions on the pitch. "I want to impress and help the team as much as I can," he declared during his introductory press conference.
Despite the fresh start, Pérez remains emblematic of the challenges many athletes face behind the scenes. By divulging his family history and acknowledging the emotional weight carried through his career, Pérez hopes to shed light on the often-unseen struggles professional athletes endure.
While settling down at his new club, Lucas's focus will be on contributing to PSV Eindhoven’s success, prioritizing his football passion and responsibilities as he adjusts to life outside of Spain once more. He has immediately started preparing for upcoming matches, and fans from both his former and current clubs are eager to see how he will fare on the Dutch stage.
Lucas Pérez’s narrative is one intertwined with both triumph and adversity, reminding us all of the nuanced lives led by athletes outside of their public personas. His story continues to resonate as he embarks on this new chapter of his career at PSV Eindhoven.