France forward Kylian Mbappe (25) has signed a five-year contract as a free agent with Real Madrid, the La Liga club announced on Monday, bringing an end to one of the biggest transfer sagas in football history that lasted years before the European champions signed him.
“Real Madrid C.F. and Kylian Mbappe have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next five seasons,” the 15-time European champions said in a statement.
Reacting to his move, Mbappe took to social media to share images of himself as a youngster in a Real Madrid kit as well as when he met Cristiano Ronaldo, who is one of the club legends.
“A dream come true,” he wrote. “So happy and proud to join the club of my dream @realmadrid.
“Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. Hala Madrid!”
The new era for Mbappe begins
On May 10th, the French national team captain uploaded a video on social media site X announcing his departure from Paris St. Germain.
Mbappe will join Real Madrid in July after his PSG contract expires on June 30th, but the forward will be unveiled before joining the France side for the Euros in Germany.
He joins a star-studded Madrid squad that includes Ballon d’Or contenders Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham and is led by Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the most successful coach in Champions League history with five titles.
Although Mbappe won several trophies at PSG, often completing domestic doubles and trebles, the Champions League has eluded him and remains the only major honour left to complete his sparkling resume.
Mbappe leaves PSG after seven years at the club, where he won six Ligue 1 titles and four French Cups, finishing his career in the capital city as the club’s all-time top scorer with 256 goals.
(Info. credit: Reuters)
