Eder Militao, right, will join Real Madrid in the summer on a six-year deal. AFP
Eder Militao, right, will join Real Madrid in the summer on a six-year deal. AFP
Eder Militao, right, will join Real Madrid in the summer on a six-year deal. AFP
Eder Militao, right, will join Real Madrid in the summer on a six-year deal. AFP

Real Madrid confirm Eder Militao as first signing of Zinedine Zidane's second spell


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Real Madrid have completed their first signing since the return of Zinedine Zidane as manager after announcing a deal for Porto defender Eder Militao on Thursday.

Militao, 21, is a central defender from Brazil who joined Porto from boyhood club Sao Paulo in August 2018. He will move to Madrid at the end of the season in a deal worth a reported €50 million (Dh207.5m).

Still in his debut season for Porto, Militao has helped the club to second in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, level on points with leaders Benfica, and into the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals.

"Real Madrid CF and FC Porto have agreed the transfer of Eder Militao and the player will sign on a six-year contract running until the 30th of June 2025," read a brief statement on the Real Madrid website.

Zidane made a surprise return for his second stint as Madrid manager on Monday, 10 months after stepping down from the role after guiding the Spanish club to a record third successive Champions League title.

The Frenchman is expected to lead an overhaul of a squad that has fallen well behind fierce rivals Barcelona in recent seasons, at least domestically, while their European Cup defence was ended at the last-16 stage with a thrashing at the hands of Dutch side Ajax.

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From Zidane to Zidane: A timeline of Real Madrid's turbulent period of managerial drama

  • Real Madrid president Florentino Pere, right, presented Zinedine Zidane as manager at the Bernabeu in Madrid in January 2016. They together forged a very successful partnership. Victor Lerena / EPA
    Real Madrid president Florentino Pere, right, presented Zinedine Zidane as manager at the Bernabeu in Madrid in January 2016. They together forged a very successful partnership. Victor Lerena / EPA
  • Cristiano Ronaldo formed a hugely successful partnership with Zinedine Zidane during their time at Real Madrid. Gabriel Bouys / AFP
    Cristiano Ronaldo formed a hugely successful partnership with Zinedine Zidane during their time at Real Madrid. Gabriel Bouys / AFP
  • Zidane had the benefit of a team laden with superstars all peaking at around the same time, too. Gabriel Bouys / AFP
    Zidane had the benefit of a team laden with superstars all peaking at around the same time, too. Gabriel Bouys / AFP
  • Zidane with the Champions League trophy in Cardiff in 2017 after Real Madrid beat Juventus in the final. Peter Powell / EPA
    Zidane with the Champions League trophy in Cardiff in 2017 after Real Madrid beat Juventus in the final. Peter Powell / EPA
  • Zinedine Zidane celebrates his second Champions League title in 2017. Eddie Keogh / Reuters
    Zinedine Zidane celebrates his second Champions League title in 2017. Eddie Keogh / Reuters
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after winning the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award, while Zinedine Zidane won Coach of the Year award in London in 2017. Eddie Keogh / Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after winning the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award, while Zinedine Zidane won Coach of the Year award in London in 2017. Eddie Keogh / Reuters
  • Zidane led Real Madrid to the Fifa Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi in 2017, but not before getting a massive scare from Al Jazira in the semi-finals. Amr Abdallah Dalash / Reuters
    Zidane led Real Madrid to the Fifa Club World Cup title in Abu Dhabi in 2017, but not before getting a massive scare from Al Jazira in the semi-finals. Amr Abdallah Dalash / Reuters
  • Zidane received the Best Coach of the Year Award from Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri during the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai in 2017. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Zidane received the Best Coach of the Year Award from Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri during the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai in 2017. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Zidane with his third Champions League title after Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Kiev in 2018. Genya Savilov / AFP
    Zidane with his third Champions League title after Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Kiev in 2018. Genya Savilov / AFP
  • Zidane stood beside president Florentino Perez as he announced his resignation in Madrid on May 31, 2018. Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP
    Zidane stood beside president Florentino Perez as he announced his resignation in Madrid on May 31, 2018. Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP

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