Valencia Club de Fútbol have announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Álvaro Medrán,who has joined the Los Che on a four-year deal until 30 June 2020 from Real Madrid CF. Both clubs have not yet announced the transfer fee.
The Cordoba-born 22-year-old came through the youth systems of Real Madrid and made 4 appearances for the senior team in the 2014-15 season and he scored a goal in the Los Blancos' 4-0 rout of Bulgarian club Ludogorets in a UEFA Champions League group stage game. He was loaned out to Getafe CF for the 2015-16 season in an effort to give him more game time.
Medrán enjoyed a good season in Getafe,where he made 20 appearances while scoring two goals. With,Real Madrid looking to bolster their squad this season, there would have been very few opportunities for the youngster. Thus,the move to Valencia should work out nicely for him and with Portuguese midfielder, Andre Gomes rumored to leave the club, there will be opportunities for Medran to make his mark for the club.
The reported transfer fee is around €1.5 Million and there are unconfirmed reports in Spain which say that Real Madrid has inserted a buy-back clause for the midfielder. This is Valencia's second signing of the season after securing the deal for Portuguese winger Nani from Turkish club Fenerbahce.
Medran has been a regular member of the Spain under-19 and under-21 team. The young midfielder's preferred position is central midfield and he can also play as a no. 10. His versatility is one of the main reasons why former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti preferred him to other youngsters. Medran is a very good passer of the ball with an impressive passing accuracy percentage of 81. He made 10 key passes for Getafe in the league last season and provided one assist.
A weakness of his game is that he sometimes invites pressure on his own team with unsuccessful touches in the middle of the park. He was dispossessed 38 times last season. This is an area of his game that needs significant improvement and he has already shown signs of improving.
The 22-year-old will be an important part of manager Pako Ayestaran's plans in the new season and if Andre Gomes leaves, the young man will be looking to take responsibility of the Valencia midfield to prove his mettle.
