Alfaro bids emotional adios

Club captain Pablo Alfaro has announced his decision to leave Sevilla FC in search of more first-team football, ending over five years at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.

'Tough' decision
A virtual ever-present in his first four seasons at the Spanish UEFA Cup hopefuls, the robust defender spent much of last term on the fringes of the team and has been limited to just four substitute appearances this campaign. At 36, Alfaro is very much in the twilight of his career and feels the time has come to move on. "You can't imagine how tough it's been for me to take this decision," he said. "I'm not leaving because of the money but because I want to feel useful for a team."

'One of us'
Formerly at FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid, Alfaro has made 162 league appearances since arriving at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in 2000. The club have since enjoyed a heady rise, and president José María del Nido was effusive in his praise for the departing veteran. "We're proud of him having played for us and hope to welcome him back someday. It's an honour to have him cry as he bids farewell because that means he's one of us."