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Real Madrid finally decided to pay Asier Illarramendi's 30M€ release clause plus taxes, meaning the transfer has been completed for 32M€. Illarramendi was Zidane and Ancelotti's priority and that's why Real Madrid refused to make any moves for some other midfielders.
Real Sociedad confirmed the deal in a press conference that started this Friday at 13:00 CET. And Real Madrid then stated the following:
OFICIAL: Asier Illarramendi, nuevo jugador del Real Madrid. http://t.co/07lKm25Fx9 #WelcomeIllarramendi
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) July 12, 2013
Illarramendi was the key behind Real Sociedad's success last season. Real Sociedad only managed to win one game out of the six played without Illarramendi on the pitch. The Basque team ended the last Liga BBVA season fourth in the table and that's why they will be fighting for a place in the 2013-2014 Champions League Group Stage.
If Illarramendi is able to learn some things from Xabi Alonso, he will definitely be a key player for Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team in the future. He already is a very important player, but Alonso's experience and understanding of the game might help him a lot in order to have a comfortable adaptation to the Spanish capital.
Welcome, Illarra.