Madrid, July 13: Real Madrid has signed holding midfielder Asier Illarramendi from Real Sociedad as it intensifies its efforts to capture Spain's latest generation of talent.
Sociedad club president Jokin Aperribay said that Madrid paid Illarramendi's buyout clause — reportedly worth 32 million euros ($39 million) plus taxes — to secure his release.
The 23-year-old Illarramendi had a breakout season in the last campaign, when he helped Sociedad finish fourth in the Spanish league and earn a Champions League berth.
Illarramendi was a part of Spain's Under-21 European championship side this summer, along with two more of Madrid's offseason acquisitions — Francisco “Isco” Alarcon and Daniel Carvajal.
