Iago Aspas proved to be a flop at Liverpool, failing to make an impact during his short spell at Anfield between 2013 and 2015
Iago Aspas
Liverpool flop Iago Aspas has flourished at Celta Vigo
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Former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas is set to receive a permanent honour from Celta Vigo, with the club planning to name a stand after him at the Balaidos Stadium. The 39-year-old spent two seasons at Anfield, making just 15 appearances and scoring once. During his time with Liverpool, Aspas 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, establishing himself as one of the biggest legends in Celta's history. His name will now be permanently displayed at the 44,000-capacity Balaidos.
Celta supporters have spent years calling for a statue of Aspas to be placed outside the stadium. The latest proposal to honour the club legend was officially presented by Luisa Sanchez, vice-president of the Pontevedra Provincial Council.
She 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."
Vigo City Council has now approved the plans, paving the way for a statue of Aspas to be installed at the stadium entrance. The project is expected to cost around €200,000 (£170,000).
However, the tributes to the Celta icon could eventually go even further, with suggestions that the entire stadium could one day be renamed in his honour. For now, though, 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."
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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.
Aspas' spell at Liverpool was short-lived, but his fortunes after returning to Celta Vigo could hardly have been more different. The striker has gone on to make an astonishing 578 appearances for the club, 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, where he cemented his status as a club legend.