Two days ago, Diego Llorente left Leeds United and completed a permanent move to Real Betis, bringing an end to his four-year spell at Elland Road.
Earlier this month, the La Liga side took Marc Roca from Leeds on a permanent transfer. Prior to Llorente’s move to Real Betis, Roca had revealed that the defender had received many offers to leave Leeds.
On Wednesday, the 30-year-old was presented to the local media, where he talked about his decision to pick the La Liga side over other clubs, and his comments are relayed by El Correo de Andalucía.
The centre-back has thanked Real Betis president Ángel Haro García and sporting director Manu Fajardo for convincing him to choose their project.big “[I] thank both the president and Manu for the affection from the first minute and the interest they have shown in me because it’s not just about showing interest but through calls and explaining the beautiful project you have here, what the club is like, the passion of the green and white feeling…. You are not made of stone and that kind of thing convinces the player. It was very clear to me that a club as big as Betis was the best place for me to continue my career, to keep growing and to help each other to achieve great things,” he said.
The player will reunite with some of his former teammates, including the former Whites man, at the Andalusian club, and they have played a role in convincing him to join Real Betis.
“I’ve spoken to teammates like Marc Roca, Fornals, Juanmi, with whom I’ve coincided in other clubs and all the words were good, not only as a club but on a personal level for my family and for me, an unbeatable place to develop as a footballer and to give the best of myself. That kind of thing also helped me to make the decision,” Llorente explained.
The Spaniard spent the last 18 months on loan at AS Roma and they were one of the clubs who tried signing him this summer.
“On my return, I was informed about all the situations, about Betis,” he added.
“There were other interests, also from the club where I was on loan, Roma, but the sum of all the factors that I’ve said that help on a personal and professional level, the illusion that they have transmitted to me has been key to making the decision and I can’t think of a better place to continue taking steps forward and to be able to be a better player.”
