MADRID (The Thursday Times) — Real Madrid has officially confirmed the signing of Kylian Mbappé on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The 25-year-old French forward, who holds the record as PSG’s all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances, has committed to a five-year deal with the Spanish giants. The contract is reportedly worth €15 million per year after tax.
Mbappé will also receive a substantial signing-on bonus from Real Madrid, amounting to around €125 million. This sum will be paid in instalments over the duration of his contract. The French captain joins Real Madrid just two days after the club secured their 15th Champions League title, completing a double triumph as they were also crowned La Liga champions.
Real Madrid’s brief statement announcing Mbappé’s signing read: “Real Madrid CF and Kylian Mbappé have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons.”
#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/kAhxdEjnLA
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 3, 2024
In response to his move, Mbappé took to social media to share his excitement. He posted pictures of himself as a child wearing a Real Madrid kit, captioned: “A dream come true. So happy and proud to join the club of my dreams, Real Madrid. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. Hala Madrid!”
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The transfer marks the culmination of a long pursuit by Real Madrid, who have been admirers of Mbappé for many years. In 2022, the club made a significant effort to sign him, but Mbappé opted to extend his stay at PSG with a new two-year contract. However, Mbappé’s decision not to trigger a one-year extension in his PSG contract allowed him to leave the club on a free transfer this summer. His departure from PSG, which he announced last month, is set to free up at least €220 million in gross costs for the French club.
Mbappé’s journey to Real Madrid has been a protracted saga, with the Spanish club making multiple attempts to secure his signature over the years. The pursuit began when Mbappé was just 11 years old, visiting the club for a trial with the U12 team. His parents decided it was best for him to remain in France to continue his development. Real Madrid made another significant attempt to sign him in 2017 when he was at Monaco, but PSG managed to secure the young talent for a then-record fee of just shy of €200 million.
The recent announcement has been met with mixed emotions. While there is relief that the long-running saga has reached a conclusion, there is also a sense of apprehension due to the dramatic events of 2022 when Mbappé chose to stay in Paris, leaving many Real Madrid supporters and officials feeling disappointed and frustrated.
From a broader perspective, Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid is seen as a significant boost for the club. The combination of winning the La Liga and Champions League titles, followed by the acquisition of one of the world’s most talented forwards, underscores Real Madrid’s dominance in European football. The signing is viewed as a statement of intent and a signal of the club’s ambition to maintain its supremacy.
Real Madrid’s successful season, despite injuries to key players like Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and David Alaba, has been remarkable. With these players set to return and the addition of new talents like Arda Guler and Endrick, alongside Mbappé, the club’s future looks promising. Although Toni Kroos has bid farewell, Luka Modric’s decision to stay provides continuity and experience in the midfield.
Tactically, Mbappé’s integration into the team will depend on the preferences of coach Carlo Ancelotti. It is anticipated that Ancelotti will continue with a 4-4-2 formation, featuring Jude Bellingham at the top of the midfield diamond. This setup would allow Vinicius Junior and Mbappé to form a two-pronged attack, similar to the combination of Vinicius and Rodrygo this season. Vinicius has excelled on the left flank, while Rodrygo’s versatility allows him to play on either wing or as a central attacking midfielder.
Alternatively, Ancelotti could opt for a 4-3-3 formation, with Mbappé positioned centrally and Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings. However, this would necessitate sacrificing a midfielder, a difficult choice given Real Madrid’s depth in that area. Regardless of the tactical approach, Mbappé’s arrival adds significant firepower to Real Madrid’s already formidable squad.
