Ander Herrera, who has spent his career at some of world football's most prominent clubs, is now playing in Spain's third tier and has agreed to do so without receiving a salary, BBC Sport reports.
The decision marks a striking change of direction for a player long associated with elite European teams. Herrera has returned to his native country and to a lower competitive level than he has occupied for much of his professional life.
BBC Sport says Herrera has set out the reasons for his choice himself, framing the move as one driven by personal considerations and a desire to be closer to home. His explanation has prompted widespread comment because it departs from the financial and career calculus that typically governs moves by established internationals.
The case has been noted as an unusual example of a high‑profile professional accepting a non‑remunerated role in the lower divisions. Observers have framed it as a personal decision that prioritises factors beyond money, and it has attracted attention within Spain and beyond for what it reveals about career priorities late in a player's professional life.