Spain defender Diego Llorente completes move from Real Socieded to Leeds United, signs four-year deal

The 27-year-old becomes the Whites' second signing from La Liga this summer, following Rodrigo's arrival from Valencia.

Llorente is a ball-playing, versatile centre-back who will provide competition for both Liam Cooper and fellow new signing Robin Koch.

Leeds parted with a fee in the region of £18m for the five-cap Spain defender and he will wear the number 14 shirt this season.

The Whites initially wanted to make 2019/20 loan signing Ben White a permanent addition but when Brighton and Hove Albion refused to do business with a team they considered a 'direct rival' in the Premier League, Victor Orta moved on to Robin Koch and had room in the budget to sign a second senior centre-half.

Llorente's career began at Real Madrid, where he worked his way through the ranks before loan spells with Rayo Vallecano and Malaga CF.

In June 2017 he moved to Real Socieded for €7m and signed a five-year deal. This summer when Leeds showed their interest, despite the two years left on his contract at the Reale Arena, both the player and the Spanish top flight club decided to part company.

He made 88 appearances over the past three seasons and scored eight goals.

At international level his last cap came in May 2019 against Romania but he was on the bench for their September Nations League games against Germany and Ukraine.