Real Madrid have completed the signing of "new Xabi Alonso" Asier Illarramendi.

The Spanish giants have had to fork out €39 million for the Real Sociedad midfielder.

The 23-year-old helped his home-town club into the Champions League and has been praised for his passing and vision.

Illarramendi was featured on Newstalk's Scouting Report in April and to see his profile, read here.

Meanwhile Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu has returned to Spain on loan. He will spend the 2012/13 season at Valencia.