After only two seasons playing for Real Madrid, Asier Illarramendi signed a six-year-contract until June 2021 at his former club, Real Sociedad. The midfielder joined Los Blancos in July 2013 for a transfer fee around €32m. Sociedad paid €15m for the player this summer.
Transfer was excepted
Rumours of a possible move by Asier Illarramendi went round for a even a while. The purchase of Mateo Kovacic and overall the wide range of quality midfielders at Real Madrid were definitely a reason why Asier Illarramendi really left The Whites after only two seasons.
In Illarra's first season for Real Madrid, he made 29 appereances in Primera División, 11 in the Champions League and nine in the Copa del Rey. Tthe midfielder was subbed in usually and could not become a regular player in Madrid's midfield. Nevertheless, a special highlight for the player was the Champions League title win against Atletico Madrid. Despite no minutes of play, he saw the crucial header by Sergio Ramos in injury time and the following three goals, which brought Real Madrid to their tenth Champions League win.
His second and last season was not a better one and had a lot of ups-and-downs. Illarra lpayed a lot of matches again, but was still not a regular player for Madrid and got subbed in and off for a lot.
Back to his past
Illarramendi started his carrer at the youth academy of Real Sociedad and played his way up to the first team of Real Sociedad. Summer 2008, the then young midfielder was called up for Real Sociedad's second team, which played in Segunda División at that time. Three season later he got his debut for the first team, he was subbed in the 81th minute for Diego Rivas against Villarreal. Sociedad lost the match with 2-1, after the Basques led with 0-1.
The player himself is delighted on his new old challenge in the Basque region. On Instagram he wrote that "very happy and looks forward to defend the colours of Real Sociedad on the pitch again."