Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the club's first signing for the 2023/24 season.
Following his men's 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday, the Italian manager announced that one of their opponent's stars, Fran Garcia, will be a Real player next season.
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The club is understood to have signed a pre-contract agreement with the Spaniard earlier this year in a deal worth €5 million (R103 million).
Speaking after the game at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ancelotti said: "Fran Garcia is a left-back who has a lot of energy, is very fast with the ball, attacks very well.
"He is a very good profile for Real Madrid and next year he will be with us."
The 14-time UEFA Champions League winners are very familiar with the fullback as he rose through the club's La Fabrica youth academy, representing the Madrid outfit from the U17s up until the reserve team.
The 23-year-old is an established regular in the Spanish top flight having featured heavily for Rayo this season, making 37 appearances and contributing two goals and three assists to date.
It is believed Real were desperate for a new left-back as they have been utilising midfielder Eduardo Camavinga in that position for a large part of the season.
Ferland Mendy, who is a natural in that role, has struggled to impose himself on the team in recent months, with recurring injuries and a lack of form keeping him out of matches.
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The Frenchman has since been linked with a move to Arsenal.
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