Real Madrid pushing hard to sign 20-year-old winger after Atletico Madrid exit

Real Madrid are closing in on another signing from Atletico Madrid’s youth system, with 20-year-old winger Jorge Rajado emerging as the latest player poised to make the move across the Spanish capital.

According to AS, Real Madrid are pushing strongly to secure Rajado after the youngster ended his decade-long association with Atletico. 

The winger is now free to pursue the next stage of his career, with Real Madrid looking to take advantage of the situation.

Rajado has been regarded as one of the more promising players within Atletico’s academy. 

His powerful shooting ability has helped him stand out, although his development has been interrupted by a series of injuries.

Real Madrid step up pursuit of Rajado

Jorge Rajado spent 10 years with Atletico Madrid’s academy. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

Rajado spent 10 years within Atletico’s youth structure before bringing that spell to an end. Last season, he featured 16 times for Atletico C and scored four goals.

Those numbers only tell part of the story, with injuries having restricted his progression during a period when he was attempting to establish himself at senior level.

Real Madrid now see an opportunity to bring the winger into their own development system. 

The move would place Rajado in La Fabrica, where he would continue his progression after leaving Atletico.

Another chapter in the academy rivalry

Rajado’s potential move is quite significant because of the increasingly common movement of young players between Madrid’s two biggest clubs.

Jorge Rajado is set to move to Real Madrid. (Photo by Jess Hornby/Getty Images)

The relationship between the academies changed considerably after Jesus Fortea brought an agreement between the clubs to an end in 2022. 

Since then, Real Madrid have been particularly active in recruiting players from Atletico’s youth setup.

That has made switches from the Academia to La Fabrica far less unusual than they once were.

Real Madrid have been the club to take the most players from Atletico’s academy since the previous arrangement ended, although the traffic has not been entirely one-way. 

Atletico have also strengthened their youth ranks with players coming from their city rivals.