OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Defender Joins Real Sociedad On A 5-Year Deal
REUTERS/Sergio Perez
Promising centre-back Diego Llorente has been let go by Real Madrid to Real Sociedad on a 5-year deal.
Despite being highly rated, the 23-year-old managed to make just 2 substitute appearances for the club since 2012, opting to play on loan for Rayo Vallecano and Malaga in the past 2 years respectively. His performances with both of these clubs earned him quite the reputation within La Liga as a strong and gritty defender.
Going forward in what is estimated to be close to a €7 million transfer, he was excited to complete his move to his new club.
Upon the announcement of the transfer, the defender stated: “Maybe the stability of a long-term contract after two loans [is a positive]. I believe I have picked up enough experience to take on important challenges now.
https://twitter.com/RealSociedadEN/status/879406124457480196
“The challenge offered to me here is very attractive, and I am very excited about taking it on. I am very happy that a club like La Real has shown an interest in me. When I heard about it I did not think twice, and I believe it has been a very good decision.”
Despite a clear indication of his quality, Llorente was unable to find a starting spot with Los Blancos. In search of more playing time, he moved out on two loan spells, but this move to Sociedad is based mostly on a stability as a player for his career.
This might put Zinedine Zidane in a mix, as he now has only 3 starting defenders – Ramos, Monreal, and Varane. While Varane himself was expected to move, Real Madrid might put up a better contract to appease him.
REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
All being said, Llorente’s decision to play for Real Sociedad can be considered as an old-school move in comparison to most players who wish to move to the big clubs despite the obvious lack of game time waiting for them. A stable but constant growth can see him growing into a beast of a defender, and among the best in La Liga.
Written by Srivats Venkateswaran 
Sports writer with a long experience of writing in football.Was football team head at EssentiallySports. Still deeply misses Sir Alex and Berbatov at United. An introvert at heart with a poetic hand. Engineer by choice, writer by passion.