La Liga champions Real Madrid have announced the signing of 16-year-old Brazilian striker Endrick from Palmeiras.
Endrick will remain in Brazil until he turns 18 in 2024 and can get a work permit in Spain. It resembles the deal Los Blancos struck for Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes a few years ago.
Real Madrid will pay Palmeiras around €72 million for Endrick. The forward has been on the radar of top European clubs, but Madrid have won the race.
Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea were interested in Endrick and showed him their projects. The Ligue 1 champions reportedly had a massive bid rejected.
The Premier League club turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko and are also close to signing Molde FK striker David Datro Fofana.
Endrick earned his reputation in the Palmeiras youth team before breaking through worldwide at the highly-regarded Copinha tournament.
He scored six goals in seven appearances, finishing as the top scorer and helping his side to lift the title.
His performances with the junior set-up caught the eye, and he debuted for the senior team months ago. He has scored three goals and assisted one in seven games in the Brazilian top flight.
Endrick’s physicality and skills have gained comparisons to Brazilian greats such as Ronaldo and Romario.
Following the signing of Endrick, it is unclear if Madrid will continue to pursue their long-term centre-forward target, Erling Braut Haaland.
They still have Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema in their squad, but he is not getting any younger and injuries are a growing cause for concern.
Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has papered over Benzema’s injuries by using Marco Asensio and Rodrygo as strikers.
But he will be hoping for proper striking reinforcements, especially with Endrick only arriving in 2024.
