Place of birth Madrid, Spain Name Diego Llorente Date joined July 2013 2000–2001 Perez Galdos Weight 75 kg | Number 27 Height 1.86 m Playing position Role Footballer | |
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Full name Diego Javier Llorente Rios Date of birth (1993-08-16) 16 August 1993 (age 22) Current team Rayo Vallecano (#27 / Defender) Profiles | ||
Diego llorente rayo vallecano skills goals 2015 2016
Diego Javier Llorente Ríos ([ˈdjeɣo ʎoˈɾente ˈri.os]; born 16 August 1993) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Real Sociedad as a central defender.
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Club career
Born in Madrid, Llorente joined Real Madrid's youth system in July 2002, one month shy of his ninth birthday. In the 2012–13 season he made his senior debuts, appearing with the C-team in a 1–1 away draw against Caudal Deportivo for the Segunda División B championship.
On 24 March 2013, Llorente made his first appearance with Real Madrid Castilla, coming on as a substitute for injured Iván González in an eventual 4–0 home win over Córdoba CF. On 11 May he was an unused bench player for the main squad, in a La Liga match at RCD Espanyol, but finally made his debut in the competition on 1 June, replacing Álvaro Arbeloa for the dying minutes of the last game of the campaign, at home against CA Osasuna.
On 14 July 2015, Llorente moved to neighbouring Rayo Vallecano in a season-long loan deal. He scored his first goal in the top flight on 3 January 2016, netting the first in a 2–2 home draw against Real Sociedad, and was an undisputed starter as his team eventually suffered relegation as third from bottom.
On 8 July 2016, Llorente was loaned to Málaga CF also in the top level. The following 26 June, he signed a permanent five-year contract with fellow league team Real Sociedad. In his league debut, on 10 September, he contributed with one goal two a 4–2 away win over Deportivo de La Coruña after replacing Iñigo Martínez midway through the second half; four days later, in his very first appearance in European competition, he started and scored twice in a 4–0 home routing of Rosenborg BK for the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.
International career
In May 2016, Llorente was called up to the Spain national team by manager Vicente del Bosque for a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He made his debut late in the month, replacing Cesc Fàbregas in the 3–1 win in Switzerland.