Lucas Vazquez joins Bayer Leverkusen on free transfer

Lucas Vazquez has completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer following the expiry of his Real Madrid contract this summer, Sport360NG reports.

The 34-year-old Spaniard has agreed a two-year deal with Erik ten Hag’s side after bringing an end to a glittering spell in Madrid, where he lifted the Champions League five times and won four La Liga titles across 402 appearances.

Vazquez revealed that Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who previously coached Leverkusen, and former teammate Dani Carvajal, who spent the 2012-13 season at the German club, played a role in convincing him to take on the Bundesliga challenge.

“My talks with the club’s management confirmed what I had already heard, Leverkusen are ambitious, determined and aiming for the biggest prizes,” Vazquez said in a statement. “That mentality matches my own, and I’m excited to fight for more success here.”

A product of Real Madrid’s academy, Vazquez broke into the senior team in 2015 and went on to collect 20 major honours, including three Club World Cups. Comfortable both as a winger and at right-back, he also earned nine international caps for Spain.

Last season he featured 32 times in La Liga but saw his opportunities limited at the FIFA Club World Cup, making just two substitute appearances following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arrival from Liverpool.

Leverkusen, who won the German league and cup double two years ago, were in the market for a new full-back after Jeremie Frimpong’s departure to the Premier League champions in May. The club also saw Florian Wirtz leave for Liverpool, Granit Xhaka move to Sunderland, and defender Jonathan Tah join Bayern Munich on a free transfer earlier this summer.