Former Teammate of Wu Lei, Sergi Darder: When Espanyol Was Relegated, I Resigned as Captain and Actively Sought a Transfer

Recently, Sergi Darder, former teammate of Wu Lei and currently playing for Mallorca, gave an interview to Relevo, admitting that when the team he previously played for, Espanyol, was relegated, he did everything in his power to secure a transfer, which he eventually achieved.

This Saturday, Mallorca will travel to the RCDE Stadium to face Espanyol, making the No. 10 player Darder a focal point for fans and media. This player, who rose through the ranks of Espanyol’s youth academy and eventually became the team captain, left for Mallorca just a year after Espanyol’s relegation, and this happened only months after renewing his contract with his parent club, a move that still stings the hearts of Espanyol fans.

Two days before returning to Barcelona, Darder opened up to Relevo, explaining his reasons for leaving, though his words may reignite the anger of Espanyol fans. Darder said, “When my contract had one year left, I didn’t plan to renew it because I didn’t see a future plan for Espanyol. I told the club ‘Let’s see how this season goes,’ referring to the season when the team was relegated. However, for the benefit of the club, I signed the renewal contract. The club agreed to let me go if I wanted to leave, but when I actually requested a transfer, they reneged on their word. I think I wasn’t selfish enough, too concerned about the club, choosing to renew at a time when I shouldn’t have.”

Darder continued, “I don’t intend to lie; I wanted to leave, and I forced myself to leave, not by holding a gun to anyone’s head or refusing to train, but simply by telling the coach I didn’t want to stay. I resigned from the captaincy because I told the coach I wasn’t ready to be a role model in the locker room, as I was the first to consider leaving, although this matter was never made public.”

Regarding his return to the RCDE Stadium and reuniting with the fans who once supported him, Darder knows the reception won’t be simple: “For me, it will be a very special day, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m eager to meet friends, not just players, but everyone who works there, because I’ve built friendships with these people over many years. It’s very special for me to come back, and I hope to play, but it will be an emotionally complex day. I know many will boo me, but I will always be grateful to Espanyol. I remain an Espanyol fan because this is a club that has given me so much.”