Toni Lato: "I'm proud and excited to be coming home"

Toni Lato returns home for the 2020/21 season, after two loan spells at PSV Eindhoven and Osasuna. The 22-year-old, who came up through the VCF Academy, spoke this week about his expectations for the season ahead.

"It's a great source of pride and very exciting to be coming back home. I've been welcomed back like always by the dressing room. I'm very happy to be here again, and very excited about the season ahead. I've been able to see all of the people with whom I've grown up since a young age, with whom I've shared many moments," he told VCF Media on Monday.

"It's an exciting season coming up. There have been changes and there's a new coach. We're working very well and we've started off very well. We're all getting to know one another and I'm looking forward to helping the team with whatever they need. Of course, we are all trying to make our our contribution."

Commenting on his return, Lato had no doubts that he would be back at Valencia CF after developing further when out on loan.

"From the first minute the club have been on top of things. I'm very grateful to the club, the president and the sports management."

"We're starting a new situation, with a new coach and new coaching staff. There have been changes in the dressing room. The group are very committed and we are all working very well. Pushing hard now is what is needed. We know that we need to be 'all-in' from the start. We're very excited about the new season and looking forward to getting it underway."

Asked about his new coach, Lato said that the adaptation to Javi Gracia has been positive from the get-go.

"Right away, the coach has been very close to us. We have a very good relationship with him. I think that we are all fully behind him, and we need to respond with hard work and consistency."

A VCF Academy graduate, Lato is part of a commitment to youth from the club, and he is delighted to be part of it.

"I've always said that having homegrown players benefits everybody in every aspect. We know each other and we are aware of the knowledge that being here from a young age gives you.  We've got a lot of people here who have known each other for a long time, and you need that symphony. I'm tremendously proud and excited about this season, and about representing Valencia CF."