Sociedad Acquires QPR's Esteban Granero on Loan

Midfielder Esteban Granero is joining Spanish club Real Sociedad on a one-season loan from Queens Park Rangers.

Sociedad said the loan deal includes an option to buy the player at the end of the season.

The 26-year-old Granero transferred from his boyhood club Real Madrid to QPR last summer, but he could not help the English club avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Granero joins Sociedad as a replacement for midfielder Asier Illarramendi, who was bought by Madrid during the offseason.

Sociedad finished fourth in the Spanish league last season, earning it a spot in a two-match playoff against Lyon on August 20 and 28 for a place in the Champions League group stage.