Real Madrid Sign 16-Year-Old From Flamengo For €39.6m
REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
La Liga Champions Real Madrid have reached an agreement with the Brazilian side Flamengo to sign their 16-year-old forward, Vinicius Junior.
The deal for the high-profile youngster is worth €39.6m, which would make him the second most expensive signing from the Brazilian League after Neymar’s move from Santos to Barcelona for an estimated €86m in 2013.
Despite reaching a deal with the Brazilian club, Los Blancos will not be able to sign him until the end of the 2017/18 season, as the striker is still 16, and will have to turn 18 before he can be officially registered by Real Madrid.
Vinicius has made just one senior appearance for Flamengo, as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Mineiro on May 13. He signed a contract extension instantly with the Rio de Janeiro giants that boosted his salary and raised his release clause from €30m to €45m.
The forward rose into prominence after his excellent showing at the South-American Under-17 Championships, where he scored seven goals for the victorious Brazil side earlier this year.
Owing to his exploits in the Under-17 Championships,Vinicius caught the eye of top European clubs, with Barcelona reportedly battling with Real Madrid for months to sign him.
The Catalan giants were trying to sign him for a reported €25m plus add-ons, while the Brazilian club demanded €61 million. As the negotiations took place, Real Madrid swooped in and agreed to meet Flamengo’s demands.
Real described Vinicius on their website as “one of the bright young prospects in world football, a skillful, pacy attacker who is able to get past players and has an eye for goal”.
It is the first transfer that the Spanish giants have announced since the end of their ban on signing players, imposed by FIFA as punishment for breaching rules over the transfer of foreign players under the age of 18.
Written by Pragadeesh Shanmugam 
United fan since Edwin Van der Sar denied Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to earn a dramatic Euro glory. Firmly believes that Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or until he plays this sport. One time writer for GiveMeSport and Roar. A regular contributor to Sportskeeda and BlameFootball.