Basque journeyman excited by new start

Dubai: Al Wasl will be 31-year-old midfielder Fran Yeste's first non-Basque club.

Having risen through the cantera policy as a 12-year-old in Bilbao's academy where only Basque born players are pushed through the ranks, Yeste has played his whole career for clubs in the autonomous region of Northern Spain.

A year at Baskonia, two at Bilbao Athletic and then 11 years loyal service for the Basque flagship Athletico Bilbao came to an end last season after Yeste felt hurt that the club wouldn't meet his contractual demands.

He could have succeeded Extberria as club captain but instead he chose Al Wasl Club. We asked in a career that's been so Basque-centric why he finally moved?

"There's no other city in the world like Dubai, I've always been interested to come here and when I heard that Al Wasl were interested in me I took the opportunity.

"This is a different league but it's not that big a difference, it's just a little lower and it has good quality — I feel good for the start of the league and our target is to win."

Having earned a call-up to Luis Arragones' Spanish national team squad in 2004, after having representing the U18, U20 and U21 teams, Yeste never made his national debut and instead played for the Basque Country national team.

His career was topped by goals against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and versus Real Madrid at the Bernabeu — he even played under his hero, coach Ernesto Valverde and got infamously carded for flooring Spain captain Iker Casillas.

But is Al Wasl the last paycheck and what did his teammates think of his big money move.

"All of the Athletico Bilbao players and fans in the city were happy for me that I got this opportunity because I had finished my contract."

As to whether he moved here for the money Yeste added, "Everybody thinks like that. But I will play my football and take my money — it's my life."

Yeste, could just be the unsung UFL signing this season with his experience, but doubts remain about whether his loyalty will be the same, or whether his poor disciplinary record will scupper progress. For the meantime the Brazilian backroom staff are coaxing him through with fortunate similarities in the Portuguese-Spanish language.