New York City Football Club forward Valentín 'Taty' Castellanos has revealed he will be forever grateful for the role the Club has played in his career.
The 23-year-old was speaking prior to completing a loan move to LaLiga side, and fellow City Football Group club, Girona FC which will run through July 2023. Castellanos first joined NYCFC on loan in the summer of 2018 from Montevideo City Torque, who are also a member of CFG. His early form with the Boys in Blue convinced the Club to make the move permanent in November of that year, beginning the start of a joyous journey together.
"Of course, I remember, everything happened very fast," Castellanos said, reflecting on the move to New York. "I remember the moment when I arrived, the people who helped me. These were very nice moments. It was a great opportunity for me, to come here to MLS. A league that I knew was growing. I remember my teammates and the coaching staff. These are very nice memories that I enjoyed from the very first moment. I will always remember this. I am making the most of my last days here with all the people who love me, who are around me. I am always grateful to the Club, from the first moment they opened their doors to me. I feel very happy."
Castellanos enjoyed tremendous success while wearing Bronx Blue, particularly in 2021. He was named the MLS Golden Boot winner after securing the crown in dramatic fashion thanks to a headed goal on the final day of the regular season. He carried that form with him into the playoffs where he scored in every round he participated in - including in Portland, Oregon, as NYCFC claimed a historic first MLS Cup.
Now preparing for a season in Spain's top division, Castellanos confirmed he is keen to continue growing and developing as a player by applying the same level of hard work that propelled him forward with NYCFC.
“I have many memories, not only the beautiful moments but also the ugly ones that we lived together,” he said. “They strengthened our group in an emotional way. We’ve experienced beautiful and not so beautiful things in these years that I’ve been here. I came to NYCFC with the goal of becoming a champion. I wanted to win titles with the Club, I wanted to make history with this institution, with this jersey and I think that what I will always remember is the MLS Cup.
“Being able to win the championship the way it happened; playing away from home, six hours from New York, with the support of all the people who went and enjoyed it, it was cold, it was very exciting. We all lived this experience in a very particular way, because we needed it and I think that is the most beautiful memory that I am taking with me and I will have it forever in my heart.”
In total, Castellanos spent just under four years with the club, playing 134 games in total and registering 59 goals and 24 assists. When reflecting upon his journey and what he believed helped him develop most Castellanos could not isolate a solitary influence, but rather a series of factors that convened to aid his development as a player.
"Many things, my colleagues who have always helped me; from the first moment when I arrived, like Maxi," he said. "Maxi is not only a colleague, he is a friend that I take with me. Héber is also a great friend who has also helped me. All the people at the club, the coaches I had like Dome and Ronny have helped me a lot in my growth, the people at the club, I can spend a lot of time saying the names of all the people who have helped, but without a doubt, I couldn't have done it without their help.
"Honestly, when a player grows up, feels comfortable, and does things well, it's because the environment is helping them. I never played alone, I had my teammates. The coaching staff always helped me to grow and work. The cooks helped me every day to maintain a good balanced diet. The people from outside the staff, marketing, videographers, photographers, everyone is a part of this. We all represent this team and I will always consider them great friends and I will always keep them in my heart for the rest of my life."
He went on to add: "To the fans, thank you, obviously for all of the support you have given us in recent years. It’s always been unconditional, but especially with me. I am totally grateful because they have always been supportive in the best possible way. I have tried to give my very best for the Club, for the fans, and I’ve also tried to take care of my image in the best way so that our fans not only see an Idol, a player but also an icon that they can see their children reflected on that will grow and inspire others with positive messages.
"I want to thank them for all these years, We’ve lived really nice moments together and luckily I was able to provide lots of joy to them with my teammates and all the people at the club. This is the most beautiful thing about soccer."
