Brazilian teenager Endrick has been unveiled as Real Madrid's latest signing at the Bernabeu, days after signing his contract with the reigning Champions League champions.
Madrid have agreed a deal to sign forward Endrick from Palmeiras in December 2022, but the prospect would not be able to formally join the club until his 18th birthday on July 21, 2024.
The 18-year-old was visibly emotional at the public presentation at the stadium, telling fans he had always dreamed of playing for the reigning LaLiga champions, while his parents were also in tears among those present.
“It's crazy,” Endrick said. “I'm very happy. I've always been a Madrid fan since I was little and now I'm going to play for Madrid.”
“I'm here, I'm going to play, I'm very happy, my family too. I don't have words to describe what I feel. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it's a reality.
“I thank you all. Now we are going to sing a song together, I'm sure you will all sing it with me: Three, two, one… 'Hala Madrid'.
“I'm not going to lie, I wasn't expecting all this, so many people.”
According to ESPN sources, more than 40,000 fans attended the event. Madrid president Florentino Pérez welcomed the new talent to his team.
“This moment was what you dreamed of as a child,” he said. “That conviction has led you to fulfil a lifelong dream. That dream that you had at just nine years old at the Real Madrid Foundation.”
“Your game and your goals have already brought the fans to their feet and Madrid is delighted to have you in the family.”
Endrick held a press conference at the Bernabéu immediately after the presentation, where he revealed that The whites All-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo brought his fanaticism to the historic club, and was overcome with emotion on the pitch at the opening.
“He [the tears] “It wasn't planned, but like I said, since I was young, I love Real Madrid,” Endrick said. “First because I saw Cristiano Ronaldo and that's the initial reason why I wanted to know more about the club and I started remembering all the stars who have been here.
“I fell in love with Madrid ever since… I didn't want to cry, but it came from my heart. I hope we can make history together now.”
She added that her parents' tears during the event “touched her heart” and said she “wouldn't be here without them.”
Endrick played for Brazil at this summer's Copa America, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in the penalty shoot-out loss to Uruguay in the quarter-finals of the competition.
He said at a press conference that he has spoken a lot with his new teammates Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Éder Militão about his signing.
“[They] “They have helped me a lot,” Endrick said. “They have talked about the club, that the time has come to come here, about training and matches. I was focused on the Copa America, so now I hope we can talk more and build a strong friendship for the benefit of Real Madrid, which is what is important.”
Sources told ESPN that the player was not expecting to join the Real Madrid squad when they begin their pre-season tour of the United States later this month, where they will play three games against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
Madrid's first competitive game of the 2024-25 season is the UEFA Super Cup, where the Champions League winners will face Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw on 14 August.
They will face Mallorca in their opening match of the new LaLiga season on August 18.
Endrick will wear the number 16 as he competes for a place in Real Madrid's attack alongside Brazilian teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, and another new arrival, Kylian Mbappé.
He is the latest Brazilian teenage talent to be identified by Madrid and chief scout Juni Calafat after they agreed deals with then-16-year-old Vinícius in 2017 and then-17-year-old Rodrygo a year later.
Endrick has been highly touted since becoming the youngest player to ever play for Palmeiras, making his first-team debut aged 16 years, two months and 16 days in October 2022.
In December 2022, Madrid confirmed they had reached an agreement with Endrick, beating off competition from several top European clubs including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Palmeiras called it the biggest transfer in Brazilian football history, with sources telling ESPN the deal was worth a total of €72 million (US$79 million), including variables and taxes.
Endrick made his debut for Brazil in November 2023, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 loss to Colombia in World Cup qualifying.
He scored in Brazil's 1–0 friendly win over England at Wembley on 23 March and again in a 3–3 draw with Spain on 26 March, earning him a call-up to his team for the Copa América.
There, he was limited to just one start and three substitute appearances in a disappointing tournament for the five-time World Cup winners.
ESPN's Sam Marsden contributed to this report.
