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Real Sociedad seal loan deal for Everton's Sandro Ramirez for 2018-19

Everton forward Sandro Ramirez will spend the 2018-19 season on loan at Real Sociedad, the La Liga club announced on Thursday.

Sandro, 23, arrived at Goodison Park last summer after scoring 16 goals in 31 appearances for Malaga in the previous season.

However, the former Barcelona academy graduate failed to replicate that form in the Premier League and spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla.

Sandro featured in Everton's Carabao Cup win against Rotherham on Wednesday and following the match Toffees boss Marco Silva said he had wanted to keep the Spaniard with the club, while admitting there was currently no place for him in the team.

"Even with what has happened with Sandro I believe in him, he showed me tonight he is a fantastic professional and for me I am not surprised.

"Even if I knew someone called up in the next hour and it is something Sandro is trying to find, I would like if I would stay with him in the squad because he is a player I believe in.

"Sometimes the players want to play more and it is not easy to keep all of them.

"It is not easy to play in our starting XI for all, not just Sandro. Sandro, of course, wants to play, last season wasn't the best for him and we will see what will happen."

Sandro will likely fill the gap left by Imanol Agirretxe after the 31-year-old announced his retirement earlier on Wednesday following a series of injury problems.