Illarramendi has medical at Real Sociedad

Asier Illarramendi says he is excited ahead of his anticipated return to boyhood club Real Sociedad from Real Madrid, after arriving for his medical on Wednesday morning.

The 25-year-old came up through the youth ranks of the Basque club and established himself as a mainstay there, prompting Madrid to snap him up as a long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso in the 2013 season.

However, the €32 million signing failed to keep a place in the first team in the Spanish capital as he was relegated to the bench in Carlo Ancelotti's final season in charge, with the midfielder also failing to convince new Blancos boss Rafael Benitez this summer.  

Links with a move back to boyhood side Sociedad intensified after Illarramendi was left out of the Madrid squad that kicked-off their La Liga campaign at Sporting Gijon on Sunday, with the player now in San Sebastian to complete his medical.

"I'm happy to come back. La Real was always my first option. I'm excited to come back home," he told journalists at the airport.

An agreement on a season-long loan with obligation to buy set at  €16m is expected to be finalised in the coming hours, with Illaramendi being David Moyes' second major signing of the summer after former Elche forward Jonathas arrival at Anoeta.