Celta Vigo is set to honour former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas by naming a stand after him at the Balaidos Stadium. The club has also received approval for a statue of the 39-year-old to be installed at the stadium entrance.
Stand and statue approved
The proposal was officially presented by Luisa Sanchez, vice-president of the Pontevedra Provincial Council. Vigo City Council has now approved the plans, paving the way for the statue to be placed at the stadium entrance. The project is expected to cost around €200,000 (£170,000).
Sanchez said: "I proposed it to him at the beginning of last year and, after respecting his timing, I brought it up with him again; the new Gol stand that the Pontevedra Provincial Council and Concello de Vigo are building should bear his name; Iago Aspas is the goal, the goal is Iago Aspas. There is nothing more to add."
Which stand will be renamed
The Tribuna stand will be renamed the Iago Aspas Tribuna. Vigo mayor Abel Caballero explained that the Tribuna was chosen because it is already operational and is set to become the largest stand within the revamped stadium.
"Why the Tribuna stand? First, because it is already operational and, therefore, the name is immediate. Second, because it will be the stand with the largest capacity in Balaidos," Caballero said.
"And third, very importantly, because next to the Tribuna stand will be the sculpture that the City Council is going to install for Iago Aspas, right there in front. Therefore, everything fits. So the Tribuna stand will immediately be called the Iago Aspas Tribuna stand, because it is already operational."
Aspas' Liverpool spell and Celta legacy
Aspas spent two seasons at Anfield between 2013 and 2015, making just 15 appearances and scoring once. During his time with Liverpool, he also spent a season on loan at Sevilla before returning to Spain and joining Celta in 2015.
He has remained with the Galician club ever since, making 578 appearances, scoring 223 goals and registering 90 assists. A product of Celta's academy, Aspas first represented the club as a youngster before breaking into the senior side and later returning after his stint at Liverpool.
Caballero also revealed that, at present, the City Council is covering 100 per cent of the cost. The Provincial Council, meanwhile, is expected to contribute €941,000 towards the work. The tributes could eventually go further, with suggestions that the entire stadium could one day be renamed in his honour.
