Bayer Leverkusen have officially signed former Real Madrid player Lucas Vazquez on a deal until 2027, the Bundesliga club confirmed on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old, who won the Champions League five times with Madrid, joins on a free transfer after leaving the Spanish giants earlier this summer.
Vazquez passed his medical in Madrid and could make his debut this weekend against Werder Bremen.
Vazquez excited for new challenge
Speaking after the move, Vazquez said:
“I’m looking forward to continuing my career at Leverkusen.”
The Spaniard also revealed that Xabi Alonso, now coaching Real Madrid, and his former Madrid teammate Dani Carvajal — who once played for Leverkusen — convinced him to join the German club.
Leverkusen’s sporting director praises the signing
Sporting director Simon Rolfes hailed the move, saying Vazquez would bring huge experience to the squad.
“With Lucas Vazquez, we are signing an extremely experienced player who has won everything with Real Madrid in the past ten years. He will be a pillar of our team.”
Why Leverkusen needed him
Leverkusen were on the lookout for a right-back after Jeremie Frimpong left for Liverpool at the end of last season.
Vazquez, who mostly played his career at Real Madrid (apart from a short loan at Espanyol), also won four La Liga titles during his time in Spain.
However, after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at Madrid, the nine-time capped Spanish international slipped down the pecking order, making a move away inevitable.
A summer of big changes at Leverkusen
Leverkusen, who lifted a domestic double two years ago, are undergoing a major rebuild this summer.
-
Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, and Frimpong have all joined Premier League clubs.
-
Jonathan Tah has signed for Bayern Munich.
-
Former coach Xabi Alonso left for Real Madrid.
Vazquez’s arrival is expected to add much-needed experience and leadership to a side that has lost several key names.