Alvaro Fernandez has sent a goodbye message to Real Madrid ahead of his transfer to Manchester United.
Fernandez, 17, rejected new terms with the Spanish giants and is set to join United on a four-year deal, according to the Evening Standard.
The youngster joined Real Madrid in 2017 from the Deportivo La Coruna academy. He is likely to start next season as a member of United’s youth system, but who knows with a manager like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer how long he will be made wait for a taste of first team football?
The left-back took to Instagram, as translated by the Manchester Evening News: “It was not an easy decision and I only have words of thanks, after having belonged to the white house these past 3 years.
“I have made the decision to leave this great club, I wanted to thank all my teammates, and the entire coaching staff Real Madrid, for making me a better person and footballer, it has been a real pleasure to wear this shirt, and represent this shield.
“It is time to say forever and take another path in my football career, take a step forward towards my dream, thank you Real Madrid!”
Fernandez joins another Spanish youngster by joining United in recent months. Marc Jurado will soon arrive from Barcelona.
Interestingly, both are full-backs, with Jurado preferring the right flank.
These sort of deals should have been happening years ago but the renewed focus on the academy and recruiting the best young players across the world is welcome.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants young talent who are ready now or in the not too distant future.
It’s encouraging that reports suggest Madrid had offered Fernandez new terms, so it’s not as if they planned on getting rid of him this summer. He has made it clear that he made the decision in depart and switch the Bernabeu for Old Trafford.
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