Armando Gonzalez: 'I Will Die for This Shirt' in First Words as Olympiacos Player

Olympiacos F.C. officially announced the signing of Mexican striker Armando 'La Hormiga' González on Saturday. According to reports, the Mexican forward’s transfer was completed for around $13 million, including bonuses.

Mexican fans have exploded on social media in recent hours over the move and, beyond feeling nostalgic about the departure of one of their favourite forwards, they have shown their support for both the player and the club.

Finally, on Saturday, Olympiacos published the first official interview with González, 23, and below we bring you his first statements as a new Red and White player.

"Very happy, very glad to be here. Very grateful to the president for giving me this opportunity to come play for a very important club, and very grateful for everything he did to bring me here," the player began.

On the decision to leave Chivas after eight years at the club, he said, "Yes, it was not an easy decision, because it was my home for more than eight years. I grew up there; I arrived at 15, and it was a difficult decision, but I knew I had to take this opportunity. I thank Amaury (Vergara), the president, who gave me the opportunity to come here, and I thank Chivas for everything they did for me and for giving me the chance to come here to fulfil one of my dreams."

Gonzalez did not hide his happiness after learning that Olympiacos had taken an interest in him: "It was a very happy emotion. I was very glad that such a big club took notice of me, and I said: I have to take this opportunity because it is something unique, and I have to take advantage of it. I think it is a very important club in Europe, and very few times do you have the opportunity to play for such an important team in such an important country as well. So I knew I had to take advantage of this opportunity, and I didn't think twice."

On his priorities as a player, he added: "Yes, I always prioritise the sporting side before anything else, before money, before all that. What matters to me is to grow as a player and give my best version as a footballer. I hope it is a very beautiful story that I can fill with many titles and many goals."

Gonzalez also took a moment to talk about his perception of Olympiacos from the outside, and his words will surely please local fans.

He said, "Well, obviously it is a very big club. It has 48 leagues, and not even all the teams combined can reach that. It is the only Greek team with a European title, and what else? All the history, I am learning little by little. I know how the fans are, and it is something that excites me, and I want to see it live."

As a direct message to the Olympiacos fans, 'La Hormiga' said, "Thank you very much for welcoming me here in your home. So, there will not be a day when I do not die for this shirt, and I will give my best version, and every day I will try to improve as a player."

"I always try to give my best version, and I think that leads me to score goals, and that is what I live for: to play soccer and score goals. I think I am a very tenacious striker. I go for every ball to the death; I make good runs, and I think I am always at the right moment just to push it in. I think the run is what characterises me."