Brahim Diaz seals £22m move to Real Madrid from Man City
Brahim Diaz beamed as he kissed the badge during his unveiling at Real Madrid on Monday afternoon after sealing a £22million move from Manchester City, having played just 49 minutes of Premier League football.
The promising 19-year-old, who has put pen to paper on a six-and-a-half-year deal at the Bernabeu, played just 414 minutes of senior football for City having moved there from Malaga back in 2013 at the age of 14.
During the presentation, the midfielder was flanked by his dad Sufiel, his mum Patricia and his four sisters Zaira, IIaira, Dunia and Irina on stage as he proudly held aloft the No 21 shirt alongside president Florentino Perez.
Diaz’s chances at City were few and far between but he will hope his career flourishes at the Bernabeu. He appeared optimistic about the switch as he was joined by family during his unveiling.
The Spain Under-21 international, who will earn £60,000 a week at Real Madrid, said: ‘This is the happiest day of my life, I couldn’t have a better gift for Three Kings Day.
‘I had three options after deciding to leave Manchester City. One, play at Real Madrid, two, play at Real Madrid and three, play at Real Madrid. It was impossible to go anywhere else.
‘I understand the responsibility of playing with this shirt. I will give everything from the first day.’
Diaz signed a six-and-a-half-year deal which will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2025.
Madrid president Perez praised the youngster and said his enthusiasm to join the European champions will help him succeed.
‘This player has a special talent. He has quality, magic and dreams of succeeding at this club. He chose it above others and that energy will help (him).’
His competition at the Etihad Stadium, which included Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane, Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez, was stiff, but breaking through into the star-studded list at Real will not be any easier.
With Gareth Bale, Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius Junior all vying for attacking berths, Diaz must prove he is able to mix it with the big boys in the Spanish capital.
Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus last summer, the Spanish giants recruited 18-year-old Vinicius and handed him the coveted No 7 shirt. The club’s policy of putting faith in youth appears to have continued.