Midfielder Asier Illarramendi has returned to his boyhood club Real Sociedad, after falling out of favour at Real Madrid. The Spaniard was subject to a lot of interest from Liverpool, and was reportedly close to a move just last week. But, he has chosen instead to re-join the club where he gained such a big reputation as a youngster.
He will play under former Manchester United manager David Moyes at the Anoeta Stadium. The Scot was unveiled as the club’s manager last year after a dismal spell at Old Trafford. He was the man given the prestigious honour of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm after 26 years in 2013, but could not make the most of it, as United finished a lowly 7th.
Photo confirmation of Asier Illarramendi’s move back to Real Sociedad. (Source: @RealSociedad) pic.twitter.com/xlmA3wYCgQ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 26, 2015
Asier Illarramendi will wear the number 4 shirt for David Moyes’ side. (Source: @RealSociedad) pic.twitter.com/oATZSgc1cB
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 26, 2015
The 25 year-old was signed by Madrid in 2013 for €32 million, the highest sum the club have ever paid for a Spanish player. He came in with a good reputation, and made over 40 appearances in all competitions in each of his two seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.
But now, he has fallen out of favour and with new manager Rafael Benitez signing Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan, his chances of playing regularly were more or less nil. He was rumoured to be available for a throwaway price of €15 million, and Brendan Rodgers was taking a close look.
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