Pre-season is underway and while the opening days are always dominated by fitness work and getting back into the routine, they are also about reuniting with team-mates after several weeks apart, meeting new faces and laying the foundations for the season ahead. 

André Horta is embracing this new beginning with particular excitement. After an injury-hit end to last season and following the Club's decision to activate his purchase option, the Portuguese midfielder is eager for the challenge ahead.

'These first few days are about getting back into things, meeting the new players and above all, getting to know the coaching staff. We're really excited about the season ahead and hopefully we can achieve what we couldn't last season,' he said.

For Horta, the summer break also included plenty of work to ensure he returned in the best possible condition: 'At first you try to switch off, but after that you must start putting a bit of fuel back into the engine. I was also coming back from an injury, so I started working quite early to make sure I was ready for the first day of pre-season.'

After missing the closing weeks of last season, the midfielder admitted he was counting down the days until his return: 'I was out for the final 3 weeks of the season and it already felt like a long time. I was looking forward to being back.'

Horta also expressed his gratitude for the Club's decision to make his stay permanent: 'It was a real vote of confidence, especially knowing I'd had a difficult year with injuries. They saw my qualities and what I can bring to the team,' explained the Portuguese midfielder, who is determined to repay that faith on the pitch.

The 28-year-old also shared his early impressions of the new coaching staff, led by head coach García Pimienta. Although they have only worked together for a few sessions, Horta has already been impressed: 'He's made it very easy for us to speak with him. He seems like a very open person. He wants us to play football and express our qualities for the benefit of the team.'

Finally, the midfielder highlighted the positive atmosphere within the squad during the opening days of pre-season: 'It's very easy to settle into this squad because everyone knows when it's time to work and when it's time to enjoy a more relaxed moment.'

With renewed enthusiasm and a clean bill of health as his main objective, André Horta begins the new campaign determined to leave his injury problems behind and establish himself as a key figure in UD Almería's midfield.