OFFICIAL | Diego Llorente joins Roma on loan from Leeds

Roma have secured the singing of Diego Llorente from Leeds United on loan, but the deal includes an option to buy.

29-year-old Llorente comes to the capital on a loan until the end of the season, which costs Roma half a million euros, but according to Fabrizio Romano, the Giallorossi also have an option to buy set at €18 million. The Spanish centre-back joined Leeds in the summer of 2020 for €20 million from Real Sociedad.

Llorente, who also played for the youth teams of Real Madrid, has represented his nation ten times since debuting in May 2016. He only managed to play eight games for Leeds in the Premier League this season, while he was a regular starter last year. 

At Roma, Llorente will compete with Chris Smalling, Roger Ibanez, Gianluca Mancini and Marash Kumballa for a spot in Mourinho’s back three. Llorente and Mourinho know each other from their shared time at Real Madrid, and the centre-back even made his debut under the Portugese coach.

Jurre van Wanrooij | GIFN