Javier Mascherano said Saturday that he feels motivated and ready to return to Argentinian football after his official unveiling as an Estudiantes de La Plata player.

More than 15,000 fans attended the former Argentina captain's presentation at Estadio Unico in La Plata, around 60km southeast of Buenos Aires, and the 35-year-old vowed not to let them down.

"It's a very special day for me because after so long I'm back where my career began," Mascherano told a news conference.

"I take this challenge on with great enthusiasm and I hope to meet expectations. I'm not an individual figure who comes to contribute talent, but a team player. I want to continue competing," he added.

Local media reported that the defensive midfielder signed an 18-month contract with Estudiantes, who are currently 11th in the 24-team Superliga standings. He is expected to make his first-team debut for the club in January, after the Superliga's summer recess.

Mascherano has not played at club level in his homeland since his 2005 move from River Plate to Brazil's Corinthians. He later had spells with West Ham, Liverpool, Barcelona and Hebei China Fortune.

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