Hernandez‘s last act as a Leeds United player came just over a year ago during the Whites’ end-of-season victory against West Bromwich Albion.
The Spaniard bid a tearful farewell to the 8,000 in attendance at a limited capacity Elland Road as he prepared to make a permanent return to his homeland to be with his family.
Hernandez spent five years with Leeds, playing an instrumental role in the Whites’ promotion to the Premier League in 2020, and is regarded as one of the club’s finest players in recent history.
There was certainly an element of unfinished business with Hernandez’s Elland Road departure, namely not being able to say goodbye in front of a capacity crowd due to COVID-19 restrictions in May 2021.
However, the player’s wife has vowed the family will return to West Yorkshire in order to say a ‘proper goodbye’ in future.
Mar Garcia tweeted after CD Castellon’s final game of the season, in which scores of Leeds supporters descended on the Spanish club to pay her husband a visit.
“Overwhelmed with all the love Leeds fans showed us one more time. Just to clarify, Pablo is not retired yet, still got some football on him. And we will come back to ER one day and we will make sure you all know so we can have a proper mutual goodbye,” she said.
Check out the latest Premier League transfer speculation below...
1. Saints lead Pope race
Southampton are favourites to sign Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope ahead of Fulham and West Ham. (SkyBet)
2. Villa drop Tarkowski interest
Aston Villa have reportedly dropped their interest in signing Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski this summer. The defender is also a target for Everton. (Express and Star)
3. Gunners keen on Tielemans
Arsenal are still interested in Youri Tielemans, with the player set to leave Leicester City this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
4. Leeds eye Kristensen
Leeds United face a £10m transfer battle with Borussia Dortmund and Brentford for Denmark international right back Rasmus Kristensen. (Daily Mail)
5. Toon lead Rabiot race
Newcastle United and Chelsea in pole position to sign Adrien Rabiot from Juventus this summer. The player could be sold for as little as £12.8m. (Corriere dello Sport)
6. Spurs join Mamardashvili race
Tottenham Hotspur have joined Manchester United in their pursuit of Valencia shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili. (Marca)