Real break with tradition
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Article summary
Real Sociedad have signed their first non-Basque Spaniard for decades in Sergio Boris González.
Article body
Real Sociedad announced today the signing of Spanish Under-21 defender Sergio Boris González in a €1.65m deal from second division Real Oviedo.
Relegation battles
The Asturian-born player, who has signed a four-year contract, becomes the first non-Basque Spaniard to join Real in 35 years, the club's management having decided on this break with tradition after series of relegation battles over the last few seasons.
Aldridge the first import
Like their fellow Basque side Athletic Club Bilbao, the San Sebastián club used to field only Basque players yet still won two Spanish league titles in 1981 and 1982. However, unlike their neighbours from Bilbao, in the following seasons they decided to open the team to foreign players, with their first import the Irish international John Aldridge. For over three decades, however, no Spaniards other than Basques have been hired by the club.
Historic move
Today’s official presentation of Boris represents an historic move which has already been criticised by some of the club’s fans. The 22-year old joins Argentinian Gabriel Schürrer and Russian Valery Karpin as the club's summer signings.
