FC Dallas Signs Real Madrid UCL winner Asier Illarramendi

On Thursday, FC Dallas revealed that they had signed LaLiga veteran Asier Illarramendi for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

The 33-year-old midfielder, a former champion of the UEFA Champions League at Real Madrid, has a club option for 2024 as part of the agreement.

Illarramendi, who has spent the last nine seasons with Real Sociedad, offers a wealth of experience to FC Dallas. During his second tenure with the Spanish team, he scored an outstanding 11 goals in 167 games. The renowned midfielder’s leadership abilities have not gone ignored, as Andre Zanotta, technical director of FC Dallas, noted in a statement.

According to FC Dallas technical director Andre Zanotta, “Asier is a top-notch midfielder with more than ten years of La Liga experience, including three years during an exceptional run at Real Madrid. The whole organisation will benefit from his leadership.”

It’s important to note that Illarramendi’s arrival to the FC Dallas roster fills an international position, demonstrating the team’s dedication to putting together a strong and diversified group.

Edwin Cerrillo, a homegrown midfielder, was also traded by FC Dallas to the Los Angeles Galaxy later on Thursday in return for $200,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money and an additional $400,000 in conditional GAM, contingent on the achievement of specific performance goals.

Cerrillo, who is only 22 years old, made his FC Dallas debut in 2019 and has since made 87 appearances, showcasing his skill on the pitch. Cerrillo’s talent has not gone unnoticed; the Los Angeles Galaxy recognised potential in signing the young midfielder, who has four career assists to his credit.