Alvaro Odriozola rejoins Real Sociedad after Real Madrid struggles

Alvaro Odriozola has completed a return to former club Real Sociedad from Real Madrid.

Comunicado Oficial: Odriozola. #RealMadrid

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 1, 2023

Odriozola has played a reduced role in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans at Real Madrid during the last 12 months with the 27-year-old making just three La Liga appearances last season.

⚽ You never forget your first goal.
💫 We’ll meet again Salzburg.#OdriozolaTxuriUrdin | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/F2g3k34M6r

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) September 1, 2023

Ancelotti has opted against using him since the start of the 2023/24 campaign as talks over a La Real comeback continued.

🏠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤. 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄.#Zubieta | #WeareReal pic.twitter.com/4Arj8MPtf6

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) September 1, 2023

Real Madrid wanted to bring in a fee for Odriozola, despite his contract expiring in 2024, with reports from Marca claiming they have settled on a €3m bid.

⚡ 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑠ℎ 🔙#OdriozolaTxuriUrdin | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/Ap6Zkli32Z

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) September 1, 2023

Odriozola has returned to the Basque Country on a contract until 2029 as he looks to revive his career in San Sebastian.

🔙 𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄#OdriozolaTxuriUrdin | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/1SiqVWb2xM

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) September 1, 2023

The Basque native emerged through the La Real youth ranks as a teenager before making the move to Madrid in 2018.

Something big is coming.#Zubieta | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/FCCGTxGta1

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) September 1, 2023

Despite only making 49 appearances in all competitions, across five seasons in Madrid, Odriozola is expected to be a key player at Real Sociedad.

Images via Real Sociedad CF on Twitter