'It's an honour': PSV captain Mauro Junior confirms he'll stay put this season

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mauro-junior/jZwOs76l/"]Mauro Junior[/a] confirmed his decision during Friday's press conference ahead of Sunday's Johan Cruyff Shield, in which Eredivisie champions [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psv/M9UEHJWi/"]PSV[/a] will face KNVB Beker winners AZ in the traditional season opener.[/p][p]"I'm going to stay. I've already decided that with the club," Mauro said. "It's an honour to be playing for this club.[/p][p]The Brazilian defender and midfielder has been the subject of nagging transfer rumours, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds United[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fenerbahce/MsbmracL/"]Fenerbahce[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/fc-porto/S2NmScGp/"]FC Porto[/a], and several South American clubs reportedly after the 27-year-old, who has a release clause in his contract.[/p][embed guid="8b6806fe-192a-45a9-9a47-d949e865b1d9" url="https://x.com/PSV/status/2083184599341863187?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Despite the interest, PSV named Mauro Junior captain for the 2026/27 season. Club captain [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/schouten-jerdy/lYVHp6x4/"]Jerdy Schouten[/a] is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in early April, which likely rules him out until 2027. Being given the captain's armband made a difference in Mauro's situation.[/p][p]"I had some other options," Mauro Junior confirmed. "But to be captain this season makes a difference. That's also why I decided to be the captain. I told everyone that I'm really happy here; I have the feeling that we can achieve special things again this season."[/p]