Football news - Brahim Diaz: I had to leave Manchester City when Real Madrid came calling

ByEurosport

Updated 07/01/2019 at 13:55 GMT

New Real Madrid signing Brahim Diaz said he had no choice but to leave Manchester City and sign for the club of his dreams at his presentation in Spain on Monday.

Madrid, fifth in La Liga, announced the signing of the Spanish midfielder for a reported 15 million euros ($17.2 million) from the Premier League club after a 2-0 defeat by Real Sociedad on Sunday.

"This is the happiest day of my life, I couldn't have a better gift for Three Kings Day (Jan. 6 in Spain)," Diaz, 19, told reporters.

I had three options after deciding to leave Manchester City. One, play at Real Madrid, two, play at Real Madrid and three, play at Real Madrid. It was impossible to go anywhere else.

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"I understand the responsibility of playing with this shirt. I will give everything from the first day."

Diaz signed a six-and-a-half year deal which will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2025.

Madrid president Florentino Perez praised the youngster and said his enthusiasm to join the European champions will help him succeed.

"This player has a special talent. He has quality, magic and dreams of succeeding at this club. He chose it above others and that energy will help (him)," Perez said

Madrid announced the signing of teenage winger Diaz from Manchester City on their website on a six-and-half year deal barely an hour after their 2-0 home defeat by Real Sociedad, which left Santiago Solari's side fifth in the La Liga standings.

Diaz, 19, played a total of 50 minutes for City in the Premier League last season but has not featured in this campaign. He has made three League Cup starts in this campaign, scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Fulham in November.

Diaz is the latest in a long line of young Spaniards to have signed for Real in the last four years, including current Spain internationals Marco Asensio, Alvaro Odriozola and Dani Ceballos.

Brahim Diaz of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Fulham at Etihad Stadium on November 1, 2018.

Image credit: Eurosport

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