World Cup winner returns to Spain with Real Betis after five years with Bayern Munich and Liverpool
Xabi Alonso has returned to his roots by joining Real Betis on a two-year deal after spending the past five years with Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
The 34-year-old right-back, who won four European Cups with Liverpool, was training with Real Betis on Monday but has moved to make the switch official on Tuesday.
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“A magical sensation, a great signing and an important part of the realisation of what we need for the future,” said the Madrid-based club’s president, Lluís Soler.
The Madrid club’s director of sport, Alfonso Primorac, said on Twitter that Alonso’s arrival was another sign of their ambition to win a Spanish league title “as soon as possible”.
Alonso has played almost 400 games for Betis since making his debut in 2010 and will be available for the first time in La Liga when they host Valencia on Saturday.
“I want to talk about Betis because they are, and I consider it my own,” said Alonso, who started his career at Betis’ old rivals Real Madrid. “This club has been important to me from day one and I hope it is the same for my two-year contract. I didn’t look for a club, this is my club.”