SAO PAULO: European champions Real Madrid have completed the signing of Brazilian under-21 international midfielder Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro.

The deal cost Los Blancos a reported 14 million euros ($15.8 million) with Silva agreeing a five-and-a-half year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Real Madrid and Cruzeiro have reached an agreement for the transfer of Lucas Silva, who will be tied to the club until June 30, 2020,” said a statement on Madrid’s website.

Silva becomes Madrid’s second signing of the January transfer window after 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard sealed his switch from Stromsgodset on Friday.

Silva, 21, shot to prominence as Cruzeiro claimed a second consecutive Brazilian title in 2014 and is considered to be one of Brazil’s most promising young players and has represented his country at junior level. “We have been in touch with Real Madrid since last year and we’re now discussing a fee,” Cruzeiro’s director of football Valdir Barbosa told ESPN radio on Thursday. “I think a deal should be complete by the start of next week.”

Silva was released from training on Thursday to have a medical with the European champions.

His arrival is likely to precipitate the departure of Asier Illarramendi, who has been linked with a 25 million euro switch to Athletic Bilbao.

Illarramendi was signed for a staggering fee of 37 million euros after helping Spain to a second consecutive under-21 European championship in 2013.

However, he has failed to become a first-team regular under Carlo Ancelotti, making just three league starts this season.

Published in Dawn January 25th , 2015

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