Wednesday 26 August 2015 17:15, UK
Asier Illarramendi is happy to have re-signed for boyhood club Real Sociedad after a disappointing stint with Real Madrid.
Sociedad confirmed the deal on Wednesday, with Spanish media reporting the Basque side had agreed to pay around £12.5m (17m euros) for Illarramendi, having sold him to Real for almost 40m euros two years ago.
Illarramendi arrived at the airport in San Sebastian on Wednesday morning and told reporters he was "pleased" to be returning to the Anoeta and it had been his first choice once he realised he had to leave Madrid.
A holding midfielder, Illarramendi has had little playing time at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric ahead of him in the central midfielder pecking order.
The 25-year-old was in the Spain squad that won the U21 Euro championships in Israel in 2013 and was named in UEFA's team of the tournament, but has yet to make an appearance for the European champions' senior team.
His return to Sociedad could revive his career and may help coach David Moyes towards his goal of qualifying for Europe this season.
The club began their La Liga campaign at the weekend with a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna.
