Former Newcastle United star completes Premier League exit with Real Betis move

Former Newcastle United star Ayoze Perez has returned to Spain after joining La Liga club Real Betis on loan for the remainder of the season.

The move - which was confirmed just hours before Tuesday night’s transfer deadline - looks to have brought an end to the forward’s time in the Premier League as his current deal at Leicester City comes to an end this summer.

Perez joined United from Tenerife in a reported £1.5m deal during the summer of 2014 and was expected to be offered a gentle introduction in life on Tyneside. However, he was plunged into first-team action and became one of the highlights of what was a desperately disappointing period for the club as the Magpies suffered relegation into the Championship during Perez’s second season at St James Park.

The former Spain Under-21 star remained loyal to the club despite reportedly receiving several offers to return to his home country and helped Rafa Benitez’s side return to the Premier League at the first attempt and established themselves back in the top flight of the following two seasons.

His best run of form came in the final months of what would be his final season on Tyneside as Perez scored 10 goals in his last 16 appearances for the club before Leicester City activated a £30m release clause in his contract just days before Benitez confirmed his own departure from the St James Park.

He revealed the reasons behind his decision to accept an offer to join the Foxes in an interview with The Athletic just weeks later, saying: “In this case Leicester gave me such a great opportunity to come here. The ambition of the club and the way they are doing the right things was very important in my decision. Also, as soon as Rafa left the decision was easier.

“Things could be done better over there at Newcastle, but Leicester have given me the opportunity to do great things hopefully. There is big ambition.”

Perez won both the FA Cup and Community Shield during his time with Brendan Rodgers’ side but will now return to Spain and could make his first appearance in the green and white of Betis when his new side host Celta Vigo on Saturday night.