Marcos Llorente spent last season on loan at Alaves but has been brought into the first-team fold at Real Madrid this season.
A day after receiving a standing ovation from his former fans, Marcos Llorente became the latest player to commit his future to Real Madrid by signing a contract extension until the summer of 2021.
The aggressive central midfielder shot to prominence last season with an outstanding season on loan at Alaves, which was enough to convince Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to bring him back to the Bernabeu on a permanent basis.
This weekend Llorente was given a taste of action as a late substitute in his team’s 2-1 victory at Alaves, whose fans remembered the excellent work he had produced on their behalf last season with a rousing round of applause when he entered the field.
A few hours later Llorente’s enjoyable weekend continued as he put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension at the Bernabeu, and he admitted he had been touched to receive such heartfelt recognition from Alaves fans.
"They chanted my name and it was incredible to get that reception," he beamed. "I had a great year with Alaves and I am very grateful. Going there and playing many games did me the world of good."
Now, though, Llorente is focussed on establishing himself as a regular member of Zidane’s team, with his ability to provide cover and competition for Casemiro theoretically putting him in a great position to benefit from the coach’s rotation policy.
"It is difficult to get minutes here and I didn’t arrive with a set idea of how many minutes I wanted to play," he said. "I just want to grow and take advantage of the chances the coach gives me."
Llorente also revealed he has received some clear and direct advice from Zidane, who clearly wants the young midfielder to keep things simple and help out in the defensive aspects of the game.
" Zidane has just asked me to do what I did at Alaves," he said. "Keep running, defend and attack, and work hard in training."
"I can’t wait to grow with this club but I know I must be patient. I am young and there is strong competition here."