Real Madrid Snatch Sergio Martinez from Racing Santander for €3M

Real Madrid have officially announced the signing of Sergio Martinez from Racing Santander, with the deal completed on the eve of the Spanish summer transfer window closure. The 19-year-old midfielder joins the Casa Blanca for a fee estimated at 3 million euros, corresponding to the full amount of his release clause.

Formed over nine years at Racing Santander, Martinez will initially join Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve team, with the prospect of stepping up to the senior squad. The farewell statement from the Cantabrian club confirms payment in a single instalment: “The Madrid club has committed to paying, in a single instalment, the full amount stipulated in the release clause of the contract binding Real Racing Club to the player. Consequently, the player from Laredo is leaving Racing’s squad.”

Real Madrid have beaten off several heavyweight contenders for the midfielder. FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Villarreal were among the Spanish clubs interested, while English and Saudi Arabian clubs had also expressed their interest in the player. Madrid settled the matter by directly activating the release clause, bypassing any prolonged negotiations.