Endrick: Real Madrid signing salutes Ronaldo after ‘crazy’ transfer

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Brazil sensation Endrick and his parents were in tears as the 18-year-old completed his move to Real Madrid in front of a reported crowd of more than 40,000 fans at the Uefa Champions League holder’s Santiago Bernabeu home.

Madrid agreed to sign the forward from Brazilian club Palmeiras in December 2022 but could not finalise the deal until the prodigy turned 18 on July 21.

“This is crazy,” said Endrick. “I am so happy; since I was a kid, I have always been a Madrid fan and now I am going to play for Madrid.”

“I am here, I am going to play, I am so happy. My family are as well. I don’t have words to describe what I am feeling.

“I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality.”

Madrid have spent almost £61 million, according to ESPN sources. The outlet said Endrick will not join Madrid’s US tour, on which they will play AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea during the first week of August.

Endrick: Madrid signing’s stats

Endrick became Palmeiras’ youngest ever player to make a first-team appearance when he was given his debut aged 16 years, two months and 16 days of age in October 2022.

His Brazil bow arrived in November 2023, coming off the bech in a 2-1 Fifa World Cup 2024 qualifying loss to Colombia.

The hype around the newcomer heightened when he scored in Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over England at Wembley on March 23, repeating the trick in a 3-3 draw against Spain three days later.

The Selecao had a forgettable Copa America 2024, winning one of their four games and losing to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals.

One positive note may have been Endrick’s further introduction to senior international football, starting in one of his four appearances at the finals.

Cristiano Ronaldo hero for Brazil’s Endrick

Endrick said new team-mates Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militão had “helped him a lot”, adding that he became a Madrid supporter while watching the club’s all-time top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, perform his goalscoring feats between 2009 and 2018.

“I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and that’s initially why I wanted to know more about the club and started looking back at all the stars that have been here,” he said.

“I have been enamoured by Madrid since then. I didn’t want to cry but it came from the soul. I hope we can now create history together.”

Ben Miller
Ben Miller
Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events.

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