Since leaving Newcastle United in the summer of 2018, Mikel Merino has gone from strength to strength.
The 24-year-old midfielder impressed during the first half of his only season on Tyneside and the Magpies quickly turned his loan move from Borussia Dortmund into a permanent deal.
However, an injury saw him lose his place in the side to Mo Diame in United's midfield and amid reports of home-sickness, he opted to make the move back to his native Spain, as he joined the Basque outfit Real Sociedad.
Injuries curtailed his start to life at the Anoeta Stadium but he has impressed over the last 18 months as 'La Real' secured Europa League qualification, as well as reached the 2019/20 Copa Del Rey final.
He has 10 goals and six assists to his name over his first two seasons at the club and he has developed into the cultured midfielder Rafa Benitez had expected him to become when he penned a five-year contract at Newcastle in 2017.
Merino also won the UEFA under-21 Championship with Spain last summer and his development has been recognised at senior level now, too.
Spain manager Luis Enrique named his squad for next month's UEFA Nations League matches against Germany and Ukraine and Merino has been called up to the senior squad for the first time.
Should the former Osasuna star win his first cap for La Furia Roja, it will only provoke more thoughts of what could have been for Merino at Newcastle.
