MADRID: Real Madrid unveiled Brazilian teenager Endrick, who has joined the European champions on a six-year deal, in an event at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

Endrick, who turned 18 last week, arrives from the Brazilian club Palmeiras, where he won two league titles and a Super Cup.

The La Liga club had agreed to sign Endrick from Palmeiras in 2022, with a view to him joining Madrid in July 2024 after turning 18.

He made his international debut aged 17 against Colombia last November, going on to score his first goal against England in a 1-0 win in March.

He was a member of Brazil’s Copa America squad, making his first international start in the quarter-final with Uruguay which they lost on penalties.

Spanish media reported that Endrick, who will wear Real’s number 16 jersey, was signed for an initial fee of 35 million euros ($38 million) with a further 25 million euros in possible add-ons.

“This is crazy! I’m so happy, since I was a kid I have always been a Madrid fan and now I am going to play for Madrid,” Endrick said at his presentation ceremony.

“I don’t have words to describe what I am feeling. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality.”

Real Madrid begin the defence of their La Liga title when they face Mallorca on August 18.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2024