Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini is delighted with their swoop for Isco.

The former Real Madrid and Sevilla midfielder has joined as a free agent.

Pellegrini worked with Isco at Malaga and said: "I think Isco is still strong at a competitive level. Last year he had some problems but he is one whom I've known since Malaga, when he hadn't yet made his LaLiga debut.

"His career in Real Madrid shows what kind of footballer he is: there are few players who can play eight years in Real Madrid. He did it for his quality. It will be an important challenge for him and for us to recover the Isco who played for many years at a high level.

"We no longer have Joaquín and (Sergio) Canales, Nabil Fekir will be absent for a while, so technically the team needed creative players. Isco is, we are looking for other alternatives to try and put together a team that is as complete as possible. I hope Nabil recovers, but Isco doesn't come to replace anyone, he comes to give his contribution of quality.

"It's a challenge for him to show that at 31 he can still play at a high level."