Real Oviedo and Borja Sánchez have parted ways, following four seasons of the youth-team product with the first team.
Los Carbayones would like to express their deep gratitude for the hard work and commitment of the local lad during his time with the club. Borja Sánchez has represented the club with pride, courage, and determination, wearing the shirt with honour up and down the country.
Borja Sánchez Laborde is 27 years old and was born on 26th February 1996 in Oviedo. The midfielder arrived at Los Azules as a teenager, in the 'Cadete' age group. Having moved on to represent various other Spanish clubs, the 'Number 10' returned home to join Real Oviedo Vetusta in 2017/2018, a side with which he achieved promotion.
The Asturian made his first-team debut on 28th October 2018 against Nàstic de Tarragona, during the 2018/2019 campaign. The following season saw him become part of the first team, where he would spend four years, play 138 matches, and score 14 goals.
The Carlos Tartiere is and will always be your home. We'll see you soon.
Farewell from Borja Sánchez:
Beloved Real Oviedo
Today I say goodbye to my beloved club.
This period here has been a dream. Everything started six years ago, when I decided to summon my courage and take a new step in my career and return home, with the hope of doing something great with my hometown club.
Before earning a spot with the first team, I had to start with Vetusta. After a spectacular year, surrounded by other homegrown players, we achieved the promotion to 2B that we had been hoping for. Then, after another epic season, we finished just one place off of the playoff to the Second Division. Incredible.
When I finally achieved the objective of joining up with the first team, I did so with a lot of excitement. Following a great deal of learning and a quick adaptation, I became an important part of the team and I was able to help the team to move away from a difficult situation in the relegation places. Those were moments in which I suffered and enjoyed equally, just like any other fan.
They were two difficult seasons, full of problems and all types of events, fighting to not go down. We got through it with pride, courage, and determination. The players and the fans, together.
The next two were complete opposites in terms of my feelings.
One was very good, in which I honestly believe that we were very close to promotion. We finished level on points with Girona, who were the ones who finally did achieve the objective. We had it very close and it was a shame not to get into the playoffs that year.
This final year, despite being the one which I had deposited most hope in, turning down offers from the First Division, nothing turned out as I had hoped. The number of injuries, on a personal level and throughout the whole squad, turned it into an extremely difficult year. I came through the worst moments of my career, and I will always be grateful for the encouragement and affection I received in those grey moments.
The only thing I take out of it with pride is having given everything that I could so that, despite being far from at my best, I could help the team on the winning run towards the end of the season, when things were looking bleak. Even though it was too late due to the bad start, we also got close to sixth place.
I feel very fortunate to have been able to experience eight derbies. They are unique, memorable matches, in which the atmosphere is unbeatable. We didn't lose any of them.
There is no doubt that the disappointment of this last year, and the one in which we didn't get promoted, will eat at me forever. I only hope that my 138 matches, 14 goals, 16 assists, and behaviour on and off the pitch have helped and represented the values of Oviedismo in the best way possible. I have given my best effort for that to be the case.
I have no words to thank all of the people that work at the club. We have been a family. They, and they know who they are, are half of the badge. Thank you to every one of my teammates, because each year we have formed a united changing room which I have felt proud to belong to.
I would also like to thank all of the different coaching staffs for making me believe each year. Especially those who believed most strongly in me, and who extended their hand to me in difficult moments.
And, of course, the fans, for all of the effort, the faith, and the affection shown. Because without you, none of this would have any sense to it. You are the breath and the motor behind all of this, and it is you that will take Oviedo as high as it deserves to be.
Have no doubt that we will return, but have no doubt because we are already here, and we are Real Oviedo.
Staying here has always been my priority, but, truth be told, much more excitement and interest has been shown in me where I am going this year. For that reason I have decided to go. I have a footballing and a life challenge in front of me, where I will get to see another football and another culture, and where I hope to keep growing as a person.
For my part, I am sure that I will return, because even if it is not as a player, it will be to sit in my seat in the Carlos Tartiere as another Oviedista.
Sometimes it is hard to look forwards when you are leaving what you love behind, but life is short and you have to live it. I am going into this new stage with nostalgia, but with a bag full of great memories that I take with me. I am going to miss you all a lot.
To Oviedo, club and city, I love you all.
GRACIAS Y HALA OVIEDO. SIEMPRE.
Borja S.
