Ex-Real Madrid player Asier Illarramendi on loving Kitchee, winning in Hong Kong
Champions League-winning midfielder is playing key part in club’s title bid and hoping to win first top-flight domestic crown of his career
Asier Illarramendi has delivered a Lunar New Year boost to Kitchee, the former Real Madrid midfielder revealing he is revelling in his instrumental role with the Hong Kong Premier League champions-elect, and happy to be living among “lovely people” in Kai Tak.
Since his debut last November, the Spaniard has helped inspire Kitchee to nine straight victories, the latest of which was a 1-0 win over second-placed Lee Man on Sunday that opened a mammoth 12-point gap at the league summit.
And the 35-year-old indicated he would be eager to stay beyond the end of a contract that expires this summer.
“I love football, the training and playing, and being with amazing people,” said Illarramendi, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2014.
“I feel physically good and, until I lose that daily excitement, I will keep playing. Like most of the foreigners, I signed for one year, but we’re all enjoying the experience of being with Kitchee and being in Hong Kong. Let’s see what happens, but I think the club is very happy with our performance.”
Illarramendi, who has three Spain caps, has settled in Kai Tak, “a nice neighbourhood, with no traffic and lovely people”.