Diego Llorente says he didn't hesitate for one second after returning to AS Roma this summer. The Leeds United defender has returned to the Serie A outfit on a season-long loan after spending the second-half of last season with Jose Mourinho's side.
The Spaniard made 12 appearances for the Europa League finalists, nine in Serie A and three in their European campaign - where they were beaten by Sevilla in the final. Llorente had just signed fresh terms at Elland Road during the winter break for the World Cup in Qatar, a move that puzzled supporters at the time.
The 29-year-old made the move to the Stadio Olimpico in January and there had been talk about the move becoming a permanent one this summer. However, Roma are said to have been put off by the €18million asking price set by Leeds, which has resulted in another loan.
“I’m proud to be able to remain part of the Giallorossi family," Llorente told AS Roma's official website. "When I had the chance to come to Rome in January, I didn’t hesitate for even a second and even less so during this period of waiting.
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"I’ve always known I’d do everything possible to stay, not just to remain part of such a historic club, but also to be back alongside my team-mates to fight together, with our fans getting behind us, to achieve the targets that we deserve. I’m sure we can accomplish something fantastic together.”
Tiago Pinto, the club’s General Manager added: "Despite arriving halfway through the season, Diego needed very little time to get fully settled into the dressing room and meet the expectations that we had for him on the pitch. That’s why we’re thrilled to be able to keep calling upon his attributes and his wealth of international experience."
