By Melody Gross 
Sebastian Coates was presented on Monday as a player for Nacional de Montevideo. The former Sporting defender spoke to the Uruguayan club's official channel, where he was very happy to be back.
“Thank you very much. I am happy to be here again and I also look forward to getting started as soon as possible,” he said.
The former Sporting defender and captain also revealed the main reasons that prompted him to return to the club where he formed.
“It's the moment when Mauri Pereira returns to the club, obviously everyone knows that I played with him in all the youth teams and he is also one of the main reasons why I am here. Our group always had the idea of playing together again at Nacional and that's why I am coming back… let's hope we like it too,” he added.
Video: Watch Coates' first words as a Nacional player
Although he was clearly happy to return to Nacional, Coates admitted he could have stayed longer at Alvalade.
“Maybe I could have stayed in Portugal. I think I decided to come back for many reasons. Also because I could have come back to help the club. I think that was one of the things I always thought about when I left, not arriving because of commitments, but arriving and being able to help in any way I could and trying to be physically fit to also give back on the pitch.”
Sebastian Coates is set to be presented to Nacional fans on Wednesday at the Gran Parque Central, the Uruguayan club's stadium.