Villarreal capture Alexander Sorloth | OneFootball

Villarreal have confirmed the signing of Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth from RB Leipzig.

Sorloth spent the last two years on loan at Real Sociedad after failing to get regular first-team football at the Red Bull Arena, mustering 24 goals in 90 appearances for Imanol Alguacil’s side.

That wasn’t enough to earn him a permanent contract at La Real, but his career in Spain has been thrown a lifeline, with the Yellow Submarine agreeing a deal to bring him to the Estadio de la Ceramica.

He isn’t the first centre-forward to join Quique Setien’s team this summer.

Former Blackburn Rovers talisman Ben Brereton Diaz has signed a multi-year contract as a free agent after refusing to commit his future to Ewood Park.

In addition to Sorloth and Brereton, Villarreal have captured the likes of Denis Suarez, Santi Comesaña, Ilias Akhomach and Ramon Terrats during a proactive recruitment campaign in July.

After back-to-back La Liga seasons in San Sebastian, the 27-year-old will continue his career on the Iberian Peninsula as the Yellow Submarine allocated €10 million to secure his arrival.

Several performance-related bonuses could pour more cash into Leipzig’s coffers if the Norway international’s career in the province of Castellon pans out well.

With Sorloth and Brereton, Setien hasn’t just ensured quality depth but fresh blood in the front third after mostly relying on ageing forwards Jose Luis Morales and Gerard Moreno last season.

The robust striker has 49 caps for Norway and a wealth of experience in Europe’s top divisions, having played for Crystal Palace, Leipzig, Sociedad and Trabzonspor, among others.

He is expected to join his new teammates on Wednesday for his first training session under Setien, who will decide whether to include him in the squad for this week’s friendlies against Feyenoord and Sporting CP.

Villarreal have been off to a sluggish pre-season start as a pair of thumping defeats to Hannover 96 and St Gallen by an aggregate score of 9-1 sandwiched a 3-0 humbling of Altach.