Unai Emery has landed his first signing as Villarreal manager, sealing Real Madrid prospect Takefusa Kubo on a season-long loan.
The Japanese winger signed for the Spanish champions last summer after a stint at Barcelona's academy in his youth, immediately jetting to RCD Mallorca on-loan for 2019-20.
The 19-year-old missed just two games of Mallorca's LaLiga campaign, eventually falling into the Segunda Division despite Kubo pitching in with four goals and five assists.
Despite's Kubo's stated desire of returning to the Bernabeu to battle for a starting spot, Zinedine Zidane's embarrassment of riches out-wide has meant to Japan star must keep patient for his opportunity.
Villarreal have paid a ยฃ2.7m fee to bring the youngster in, additionally agreeing to pay the winger's wages.
Kubo will play Europa League football for the first time next season after Javier Calleja led Villarreal to fifth in 2019-20.
However, their 10-point deficit to fourth-placed Sevilla proved too much for the Yellow Submarine, seeing Calleja sacked - with former Arsenal boss Emery brought back to Spain as his replacement.
Emery will be determined to rebuild his reputation after his Gunners reign ended in disaster, sacked after just 18-months in London.
The former Valencia, Sevilla and PSG boss is one of only two managers to have won the Europa League three times, having also won six trophies in his French stint.
AntiRacist1990
337
Good Ebening Mr Kubo ๐๐๐๐