Real Madrid have signed Japanese striker Takefusa Kubo because they were the only club that realised he was out of contract.
The 18-year-old will join the club’s academy next season from FC Tokyo and told Spanish newspaper Marca about his delight in joining the European giants.
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“I am very happy to have signed for Real Madrid,” he said.
On their website, Real describe him as ‘a technically gifted and hugely talented attacking midfielder, he possess wonderful vision, quick feet and has an eye for goal,’ adding they believe he is ‘one of the most promising youngsters in world football’.
According to Marca, it was Real’s quick thinking that got the deal over the line, having been aware his contract with the Japanese club ended on 1 June, while rivals – thought to include PSG and Barcelona – were under the impression he was not out of contract until 31 January, 2020.
They also claim the teenager will earn €1.2m a year on a five-year deal.
Kubo is also a Japan international and is currently with the team in Brazil for the Copa America.
Known in football as the ‘Japanese Messi,’ Kubo actually joined Barcelona when he was nine, but returned to Japan when the club were found guilty of breaking rules on signing international players under the age of 18. They were handed a 14-month transfer ban by FIFA as a result.
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