Guadalajara’s hometown soccer hero, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, has signed a three-year deal for his third European club – Bayer Leverkusen from Germany’s Bundesliga – for a reported fee of US$11 million. 

Hernandez, 27, scored 59 goals in 156 appearances for Manchester United of the English Premier League after joining from the Guadalajara Chivas in 2010.  He played a decisive role in the club’s title triumphs in 2010 and 2012.

Hernandez joined Real Madrid on loan last season but spent most of the time on the substitute’s bench.

Significantly, Hernandez thanked Manchester United’s previous manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his former colleagues on Instagram this week, but did not mention the team’s current coach, iron-willed Dutchman Louis Van Gaal, who since taking over the reins of Europe’s richest club last year has fallen out with several key players.

“I want to go back to feeling important and happy,” Hernandez said this week following his trade.