Real Madrid's 10 best signings of the decade (2010-2019)

#3 Raphael Varane (2011)

Raphael Varane has become one of the world's best defenders since signing with Real

Now considered one of the best central defenders on the planet, Raphael Varane moved to Real Madrid from French side Lens for a fee of around €10m in the summer of 2011. The move was seen as one for the future – Varane was just 18 years old at the time – and nearly a decade on, it’s hard to suggest that it hasn’t been a successful one for all parties.

The Frenchman took some time to settle into life in the Spanish capital – hardly a surprise given his young age and lack of experience – but by midway through his third season at the Bernabeu, he’d unseated veteran defender Pepe in Los Blancos' first-choice XI, and he played the entire 120 minutes during the 2013-14 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

In the years that have followed, Varane has been almost an ever-present for Real and was a key part in their subsequent Champions League victories in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. Renowned for his calm presence in the heart of the team’s defence, he’s likely to remain an important player for Los Blancos well into the 2020s.

About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

Know More

Edited by Zaid Khan