Isak, Odegaard, Merino - Every player Aston Villa's Roberto Olabe signed for Real SociedadRoberto Olabe took control of Aston Villa's football department earlier this monthView Image Former Real Sociedad players Mikel Merino and Alexander Isak (Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)Roberto Olabe signed more than 30 players during his tenure as Director of Football at Real Sociedad. ‌Now the newly appointed President of Football Operations at Aston Villa, Olabe faces the challenge of navigating the Premier League’s and UEFA’s complex financial regulations while strengthening Unai Emery’s squad through strategic player transfers in the coming years. ‌Olabe spent seven years at Real Sociedad, serving as their Director of Football from 2018 until the summer of 2025. His move to Villa is widely regarded as a major coup in the football world, given his track record in player recruitment and trading. Our weekly Aston Villa podcast, Claret And Blue, is also available to watch and listen on all major streaming services.