LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago

TROY PARROTT IS set to make his La Liga debut for Real Betis on Tuesday as Manuel Pellegrini declared his new striker ready to play. 

The 37-cap Ireland international joined from AZ Alkmaar last Thursday for a fee believed to be in the region of €20 million.

That was too late to take part in Friday’s 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, but he will be in the matchday squad to face Valencia at the Mestalla (Tuesday, 8pm – Premier Sports 2).

“He’s in the squad because he is ready to play,” said Pellegrini.

“He is a player who has an important challenge in front of him, to make a leap in his career.

“He has many attributes to do it. He is not only a number nine. I hope he is an important reinforcement because there are many games to play.

“He has to adapt to the different ways we have offensively but I think that, in football, his is the position that has the least tactical influence.

“He’s a good goalscorer, he knows how to find space, and is a good player. He has that instinct for the ball and I think he’s going to do well.”

Parrott will be the 11th Irish player to feature in La Liga. Matt Doherty became the 10th when loaned to Atletico Madrid in 2023.

Written by Stephen Barry and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.