Hector Bellerin has thanked everyone involved with Real Betis for ‘helping him fall in love again with this sport’ as the full-back prepares to return from his loan spell to .
The 27-year-old had fallen out of favour with the Gunners so returned to Spain for a season with Real Betis which proved to be hugely enjoyable for the right-back.
The Spain international made 32 appearances in all competitions and picked up the Copa del Rey as Betis beat in the final.
Bellerin’s loan has now finished and he will return to north , where he still has another year on his contract, but he has made no secret that he loved every second of his time in Andalusia.
In an emotional message, Bellerin wrote: ‘Even if I tried I’m finding it very difficult to express what this year has meant to me.
‘There are no words I can find to describe my feelings, so hopefully, these pictures will help you all understand.
‘Thanks to everyone in the Betis universe for helping me fall in love again with this sport, for all your passion and for making me feel like one of your own from the start.
‘I want to thank my teammates for their kindness, humility, and love since I stepped into the dressing room. You have made me feel like I’ve been a part of this way longer than I have.
‘Thanks to all the coaching and medical staff, for their trust and their work, but also to everyone behind the scenes at the club whose work goes unnoticed.
‘Thank you to the board and directors for believing in me and helping make a dream of mine come true, a dream that has exceeded all expectations I had when I made my way to the Villamarin.
‘And of course, thanks to my family and my people for their unconditional love and support and for introducing me from early to this passion called Betis. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and I hope we can meet again. Viva el Betis.’
Although he spent his youth career at Barcelona before moving to Arsenal, Bellerin explained earlier this season why Betis is so close to his heart.
‘All my family supported Betis,’ he said. ‘Everyone at home followed them, my dad and I were die-hard supporters. There’s an energy in the stadium that’s difficult to describe, it’s fantastic.
‘It’s wonderful to be able to share the amazing atmosphere with the fans. The supporters here have so much respect for the players, they love football and the club.’
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