10 Things to Know about Diego Llorente!

Diego Llorente is the newest member of the Roma squad!

Here's everything you need to know about the Spanish centre-back...

The Basics

Llorente was born in Madrid on 16 August 1993.

He shares a birthday with Luigi Giuliano, a legendary former Roma club captain, who survived the Superga tragedy before going on to join Roma.

A product of the Real Madrid academy system, Llorente made his debut for the first-team squad - before going on to represent Rayo Vallecano, Malaga, Real Sociedad and Leeds United.

His Playing Style

A tall, imposing right-footed centre-back, Llorente has also been known to play in defensive midfield when the occasion demands it.

The website of Real Sociedad, with whom he won the Copa del Rey in 2020, described Llorente as such: "He possesses a great sense of position and is very good in the air. His versatility, which can be seen in his ability to play both as a central defender and a midfielder, is an invaluable resource."

A Serendipitous Start

Llorente will be reunited with a familiar face in the Spanish capital - José Mourinho! The current Roma boss actually gave the Spanish defender his first appearance in professional football, bringing him on for Alvaro Arbeloa in the last five minutes of a match against Osasuna back in June 2013.

Llorente was the last player to earn a debut during Mourinho's time at the club; indeed, the game itself was Mourinho's final one in charge of Los Merengues.

For the National Team

Llorente made his Spain debut back in May 2016 during a friendly against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

A first competitive appearance would have to wait until June 2019, however, as Spain beat the Faroe Islands 4-1.

The Spanish Armada

Diego Llorente will become the 15th Spanish player to represent the Giallorossi since 1927.

Up until 2011 just six players from Iberia had worn the club shirt - in the last 12 years, however, a further nine have made appearances for the side.

Like Giuliano and Peccenini…

Giuliano is not the only ex-Roma player with whom Llorente shares birthday. The other is Franco Peccenini, who made more than 150 appearances for the club during the 1970s.

Two Decades Between Them

It is 20 years since the last player made the same trip Llorente has done this month, swapping Leeds United for AS Roma.

Back in January 2003 midfielder Olivier Dacourt joined the Giallorossi from the Premier League side. The French player would go on to make over 100 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Born in 1993

Llorente is the fourth member of Jose Mourinho's squad to have been born in 1993, alongside Leonardo Spinazzola (25 March), Paulo Dybala (15 November) and Andrea Belotti (20 December).

A Roman Holiday

Llorente is no stranger to the Italian capital, having seemingly visited the city on holiday a number of years ago.

He posted on Instagram a photo of himself at the Colosseum, alongside the caption: 'What we do in life echoes through eternity'.

On Social Media

Diego can be followed on Instagram, on Twitter and indeed via Facebook.