Kylian Mbappe has officially become a Real Madrid player. The 25-year-old French captain was unveiled to a packed Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday.
Mbappe, who spent the last seven years at Paris Saint-Germain, signed a contract with Real Madrid last month after his contract with PSG expired. His transfer was finalized on July 1.
The star striker addressed the enthusiastic crowd in Spanish, with his parents in attendance. Club president Florentino Perez introduced him to the fans.
“It’s (an) incredible day for me,” Mbappe told the crowd as reported by Spanish outlet Marca. “Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid and today I’m here. It means a lot to me.”
Mbappe, who was hugged on stage by compatriot and former Madrid head coach and player Zinedine Zidane, later posed for photographs, shook hands with fans and kicked balls into the stands amid an out-pouring of affection from the locals.
Madrid had earlier posted a photograph of the France superstar posing in front of the club’s 15 replica Champions League trophies alongside Perez as he became manager Carlo Ancelotti’s latest and much sought-after recruit.
The Spanish champions have been long-time admirers of one of world football’s most prodigious talents and made a concerted effort to sign him last summer as he prepared to enter the final year of his contract at PSG.
