Real Madrid Signs Porto Defender Danilo For €31.5M

Real Madrid have confirmed on their website the signing of right back Danilo from Portuguese club Porto for a fee of 31.5 million euros(23 million pounds).

The transfer market does not officially open until June, but with Barcelona and Premier League clubs Manchester United and Liverpool having also been credited with an interest, it seems the Spanish giants moved quickly to secure the services of the player.

The Brazilian has signed a six-year contract with the club. He will compete with Alvaro Arbeloa and Dani Carvajal for a starting position.

With Carvajal and Danilo both just 23, it remains to be seen how Carlo Ancelotti uses them. It might even well be that Carvajal gets sold this summer. Fans will not be welcoming of such a move, considering Carvajal’s good performances this season, and also being a youth product of the Madrid academy.

Danilo joined Porto from Santos in 2012 and has been crucial to their two Portuguese Liga titles since. He has also played a major role in them reaching the quarterfinals of this season’s UEFA Champions League, where the club will face Bayern Munich.

He has also become a regular member of the Brazilian national team since the 2014 World Cup ended. He was also a part of the Selecao team that won the silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and 11 national caps to his name.

Some reports have also claimed that one of the reasons Madrid bought Danilo was to prevent major rivals Barcelona from securing one of their key targets.

Barcelona are currently serving a transfer ban for transfer regulations, but could have attempted to sign the Brazilian in January when it ends. Dani Alves will be a free agent in the summer and has been linked to PSG, which could leave the Catalans with only Douglas and Martin Montoya as options for the position.