“Convinced by their insistence” – Player admits club talked him into Leeds United exit, won him over

Defender Diego Llorente has admitted Real Betis talked him into joining them from Leeds United this summer by being insistent it happen.

Marca Radio cover comments from the defender today during an appearance on La Pizarra de Quintana, in which he explained how his move from Leeds came about.

The 31-year-old made the move to Betis from Leeds in a €3.25m deal at the beginning of July, having only returned to Elland Road at the end of June.

He had spent last season on loan at Roma following Leeds relegation from the Premier League, taking advantage of a clause in his contract to do leave temporarily.

He was in the final year of his deal at Elland Road and so they were happy to move him on when Betis came calling this summer, preferring to secure funds before he could potentially leave on a free next summer.

A deal was quickly wrapped up between the two clubs, bringing an end to a four-year stay at Leeds following a €20m move from Real Sociedad in 2020.

Llorente is more than happy to be back in Spain and admits it was the Spanish side’s refusal to give up that won him over.

“I was convinced by their insistence,” he said.

“They made me see, in the first call I had, that it was going to be important and that I was going to have minutes. That in the end, in my case, is the most important thing.

“Being able to play and feel important, as well as being at Betis, which is one of the greats in Spain.”