Real Madrid unveil Alvaro Odriozola as first signing of post-Ronaldo era

The young full-back rose through the ranks at the Basque club, and played 41 times for his former club in all competitions last season as he earned himself a place in the Spanish World Cup squad.

The player is thought to have cost 'Los Blancos' roughly £35 million to him bring to the club, and will almost certainly not form part of the starting lineup as Dani Carvajal will be prefered as he was during the World Cup.

After just a season and a half in the first team at Sociedad, Odriozola can barely believe himself how quickly his rise to one of the biggest clubs in world football has been, describing his journey as like a film script.

"It is an honour to be here and to achieve the dream of every footballer - to sign for Real Madrid.

"I know the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt and how I must behave as a Real Madrid player on and off the pitch." he went on to say.

He becomes the third signing of the Julen Lopetegui era, after goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and Brazilian attacking midfielder Vinicius Junior.

The club are still to add any big name players to the squad, despite Cristiano Ronaldo being such a high-profile exit, but are expected to sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea to take Keylor Navas's spot in goal.

 

July 18, 2018