Real Madrid have reportedly completed the signing of teenage forward Alvaro Leiva from Spanish club Algeciras CF.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid have added 17-year-old striker Alvaro Leiva to their roster as they continue to strengthen their youth ranks in the ongoing transfer window.
Alvaro Leiva came through the youth ranks at Algeciras and broke into their first-team setup in August 2021, at the age of 16 years. In his breakthrough campaign with his boyhood club, the teenage attacker scored four goals and set up two more from 40 matches across all competitions.
Leiva’s progress in the last season with Algeciras was enough to convince Real Madrid to make a move for the 17-year-old. Talks between the two clubs began months ago, but there was a brief period when contacts broke down.
However, Real Madrid restarted negotiations with the Andalusian outfit again, and the 17-year-old Leiva’s desire to move to Real Madrid also played a role as the two teams agreed upon a deal. And the young Spaniard has now completed a move to the La Liga champions.
GRACIAS LEIVA??
El Algeciras CF y el @realmadrid pactan el traspaso de nuestro canterano @Alvariitoleiiv1.?
Te deseamos la mayor de las suertes en tu carrera profesional, siempre serás uno de los nuestros.?
?? https://t.co/sXa339DOIP#DeAlgecirasParaAlgeciras pic.twitter.com/F97tH6pFWZ
— Algeciras CF (@AlgecirasCF) July 14, 2022
Leiva is set to link up with Real Madrid’s Castilla outfit, where he will play under club legend Raul Gonzalez. Los Blancos’ subsidiary team is set to lose the services of striker Andri Gudjohnsen, who is close to joining Swedish side Norrkoping. On top of that, Juanmi Latasa is likely to be handed a role in the first-team setup by Carlo Ancelotti in the upcoming season.
Such a move would weaken the attacking options at Raul’s disposal. With Castilla targeting promotion to La Liga 2, it was important to address these issues at the earliest possible. And Real Madrid have acted swiftly to land Noel Lopez, who rejected overtures from several clubs, including Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United, to move to the Spanish capital.
Now, Real Madrid have followed that with the capture of Leiva, who is set to further bolster the Castilla squad’s attacking ranks ahead of the new season. Los Blancos also have an interest in another young striker in the form of Dani Gonzalez. And it remains to be seen if they make a move for him after having already signed both Lopez and Leiva.
So nice