Key facts
- Bernardo Silva has signed a two-year contract with Real Madrid.
- The midfielder joins from Manchester City, where he spent nine seasons.
- Silva won six Premier League titles and one Champions League with Manchester City.
- His contract with Real Madrid is valid until June 30, 2028.
- Real Madrid reportedly considered signing Silva for €30 million.
Bernardo Silva has officially joined Real Madrid on a two-year contract, the Spanish club announced Wednesday. The Portugal international leaves Manchester City after nine seasons, during which he became a key figure, winning six Premier League titles and one Champions League, among numerous other trophies.
Silva's move to Real Madrid was described as a surprise and improvised signing. Initially, he was reportedly close to joining Barcelona, but that deal did not materialize. Subsequently, Atlético de Madrid appeared to be his next destination, with advanced talks reported. However, according to reports, Silva's agent, Jorge Mendes, informed Atlético that the deal was off as the player had chosen Real Madrid. The finalization of the deal was reportedly expedited following Florentino Pérez's victory in the Real Madrid elections and the confirmation of José Mourinho as the new coach.
Reports suggest that Silva accepted a lower salary than he earned at Manchester City. The transfer fee was also reported to be a bargain, with some outlets stating that Mendes offered Silva to Real Madrid for €30 million (£25.6m, $34m). Despite the reported interest and fee, Real Madrid had previously indicated that they were not actively seeking another midfielder, preferring to focus on signing younger talents like Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga.