Real Madrid has announced its second signing of the summer, Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, who has signed for two years after leaving Manchester City at the end of his contract. According to several reports, the deal also includes an option for a third season. The 31-year-old, who spent nearly a decade in City’s blue shirt, is expected to wear white next season.
Spanish reports said Silva was also wanted by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but he dropped those talks as soon as Madrid made its offer. The move followed last week’s formal appointment of Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid’s new coach, and those same reports said Silva was Mourinho’s top transfer target. Real Madrid are also expected soon to announce the arrivals of Denzel Dumfries from Inter and Ibrahima Konate, who left Liverpool when his contract expired.
Silva began his professional career in Benfica’s youth system, moved up to the senior team in 2014, then went on loan to Monaco. Monaco bought him the following season for almost 16 million euros, and in summer 2017 sold him to Manchester City for 50 million euros. Over nearly ten years at City, he made 460 appearances, scored 76 goals and added 77 assists.
During his City spell, Silva won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, five League Cups, three FA Cups and six Premier League titles.
