Who is Endrick? The Real Madrid-bound 16-year-old sensation

Updated: 23 May 2023 08:46 CDT
6 min read

Endrick will join Real Madrid in July 2024, the summer he turns 18, after the Spanish and European giants agreed terms with Palmeiras on a €72 million transfer.

The Brazilian sensation Endrick is only a matter of games into his professional career but has already been setting records and, at the age of just 16, has the football world ablaze with talk of his potential.

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Real Madrid have long been linked with the teenager, but they had fierce competition from around Europe to seal his signature.

But who is the youngster and what is his background?

What position does Endrick play?

Endrick is a centre forward.

How good is Endrick?

Good enough to attract the attention of virtually every major European club, which tells you something of his quality.

He only has limited professional experience with Palmeiras but has become their youngest player ever as well as their youngest-ever goal scorer.

Real Madrid's scouts were reportedly left speechless after watching him for just 12 minutes.

"I saw Endrick when I was training with Palmeiras for few days," Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus explained to ESPN Brazil. "And I said: Wow, crack, fenomeno!' He's only 15 and he has top skills like a professional.

"I'm supporting Endrick, he's a top talent. He will need time."

He has made his mark in youth football, though, scoring five times in four internationals for Brazil U16 at the time of writing.

He caught the eye when his father, Douglas Santos, published a video of his son’s goals on YouTube. Unemployed, he was unable to feed his son, yet he was given a job as a cleaner at Palmeiras, who beat Sao Paulo to the signature of the player while he was just 10 years old.

Endrick’s big international breakthrough came when he played in the 2022 Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior, where he was named as the Player of the Tournament after scoring seven goals in seven games for the title winners.

He is left footed and has been compared to the great Brazilians Ronaldo and Romario, both of whom were well retired by the time Endrick was even born.

When does Endrick's contract expire?

Endrick's current contract with Palmeiras expires on 30 June, 2025, but he will now be at Real a year earlier than that.

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Who wants to sign Endrick?

Real and Barcelona had long been linked with a transfer for Endrick, who is said to be a fan of Los Blancos.

More recently, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham have all been credited with an interest in the player. French side PSG were also said to want him.

But Real have now won the race, although they will have to wait on their player.

"He has to play for Palmeiras until he turns 18," agent Frederico Pena said. "Consequently, he'll play at Palmeiras for at least 22 more months.

"Endrick's contract with Palmeiras runs until July 2025. He can only move abroad from Brazil from July 2024."