Scotland international defender Kieran Tierney joined Real Sociedad from Arsenal last week on a season-long loan move, and he has revealed that the Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard played a huge role in his decision.
The Norway international midfielder spent the 2019-20 season on loan at the La Liga club during his time with Real Madrid before moving to the North London club the following season.
Tierney wants regular playing minutes after starting just six Premier League games at Arsenal last term, and he made his debut for Sociedad on Saturday in their 5-3 victory over Granada.
The 26-year-old will look to impress during his spell in the Spanish top-flight, and Odegaard thinks it is a great move for him.
“My Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who has played for the club, was able to tell me everything about the club and the city,” Tierney told the Scottish Sun.
“He thinks it is a great move for me. Martin has been a massive help.
“I had different options but told my agent that my heart was set on Real Sociedad and from the first moment I arrived I knew it was 100 per cent for me. Everyone has made me feel wanted.
“There’s a few Spanish coaches at Arsenal and they all said that personally and professionally I would love it at Real Sociedad. They felt it was a great moment to go there.”
Tierney joined Arsenal from Celtic in 2019 and has featured in 124 games since then, with five goals and 14 assists to his name.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has moved ahead of him in the pecking order since his arrival from Manchester City last summer, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior are also ahead in the selection order, with the Polish defender featuring against Fulham while the Japan international was unavailable for selection due to the red card he picked up against Crystal Palace.
Tierney knew he was going to struggle for more minutes if he remained at Emirates Stadium, and the loan exit should help him get back on track.
However, whether he still has a future at the North London club remains to be seen with three more years still left on his contract.
