‘Good luck’: 23-year-old bids farewell as teammate nears Leeds United move

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Ander Guevara has bid farewell to Real Soceidad teammate Diego Llorente as the defender closes in on a move to Leeds United, speaking to Mundo Deportivo.

Who would have thought, when Leeds were limping to a bottom-half Championship finish under Paul Heckinbottom, that a thrilling, free-flowing side coached by Marcelo Bielsa and containing Spanish, German, Welsh and Polish internationals would be giving Liverpool an almighty scare on their own hallowed Anfield turf just two years later?

The Premier League newcomers have made incredible strides since Bielsa’s arrival in 2018.

And after breaking their transfer record twice this summer already for Helder Costa and Rodrigo Moreno, the Yorkshire giants are closing in on another big-money signing.

Llorente, a former Real Madrid youngster with five caps for Spain, is set to complete a £23 million move to Elland Road with Sociedad confirming the deal has been agreed (Goal).

And Guevara is the first of what you would imagine will be multiple Sociedad players saying a fond farewell to their popular teammate.

“I only wish him the best and thank him for his effort and commitment to the club and to us in these three years,” the 23-year-old midfielder says.

“He has shown a good level, which has allowed him to reach the national team. I wish him good luck.”

Llorente’s arrival certainly feels like a welcome boost to Bielsa’s squad, particularly after a usually solid and well-drilled Leeds side conceded seven goals in their two games since promotion.

The rangy 26-year-old will provide competition for Liam Cooper and Robin Koch at centre-half and, thanks to his fine technical skills and tactical adaptability, can also offer cover in defensive midfield if Kalvin Phillips is unavailable.