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FC Dallas Acquires Free Agent Midfielder Asier Illarramendi

August 3, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, TX - FC Dallas has acquired free agent midfielder Asier Illarramendi "Illarra" for the remainder of the 2023 season with an option for 2024, the club announced today. Per team policy, additional contract details will not be disclosed.

"Asier is a high-quality midfielder who brings more than a decade of experience in LaLiga, including three years during a remarkable run at Real Madrid," said FC Dallas Technical Director Andre Zanotta. "His leadership will be an asset to the entire organization."

Illarramendi, 33, spent the last nine seasons with LaLiga side Real Sociedad where he made 167 appearances and scored 11 goals in his second stint at the Basques club. Despite not featuring in the Copa del Rey final, Illarra would play a pivotal role in helping Real Sociedad win its first Copa del Rey cup in 34 years after defeating Athletic Club on April 3, 2021.

In July 2013, Illarra would join Real Madrid CF for 32 million euros, spending two seasons with Los Merengues appearing 90 times across all competitions. With Real Madrid, Illarra would win the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey in 2014, and the Club World Cup and UEFA SuperCup in 2015.

Prior to joining los Merengues, Illarramendi started his professional career with Sociedad's Academy before moving to the first team in 2010. In his first stint with Sociedad, Illarra would help Sociedad achieve promotion to LaLiga after two years in LaLiga2. Illarra spent two seasons with Soceidad in LaLiga. Illarramendi ranks in the top thirty players with most appearances for Real Soceidad coming in at 29th with 253 total appearances across two stints with the club.

Illarra has represented Spain across every level featuring primarily for the Spanish National team U21's sixteen times. Illarra also made an appearance with the U19 team. Illarra made his senior national team debut on June 7, 2017 in an international friendly against Colombia. Illarra would also feature in La Roja's 2018 World Cup qualification process where he scored the game-winning goal against Israel on October 9, 2017.

Illarramendi will occupy an international slot and will be added to the roster pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.

TRANSACTION DETAILS

Full Name: Asier Illarramendi Andonegi (aH-si- ehr - E-ya-Rah-men-dee)

X: @illarra4

Instagram: @illarra4

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Date of Birth: March 8, 1990 (33)

Birthplace: Mutriku, Spain

Nationality: Spanish

Height: 5'10'

Weight: 168

Last Club: Real Sociedad (LaLiga)

Transaction: FC Dallas Acquires Free Agent Midfielder Asier Illarramendi

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