Leverkusen sign Real Madrid legend and nobody saw it coming

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 26 Aug 2025 04:03 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the shock signing by Bayer Leverkusen of Real Madrid legend Lucas Vazquez.

Romano said during the early hours of Tuesday morning that Leverkusen have completed a deal for the versatile Spanish star on a free transfer.

Vazquez has been a free agent after he departed Madrid last month at the end of the Club World Cup.

The 34-year-old spent 19 years at Real Madrid, making over 400 appearances and scoring 38 goals.

He won five Champions League titles and four La Liga trophies in a glittering career.

Vazquez joins Leverkusen

Romano reports that Vazquez has completed a medical in secret with Leverkusen.

He has agreed contract terms with the 2024 Bundesliga champions and the deal will officially be signed and announced on Tuesday.

Romano also confirmed another imminent signing for Leverkusen, with Equi Fernandez due to arrive from Al Qadsiah.

Leverkusen will pay the Saudi Arabian club $35 million for the 23-year-old midfielder with a 15 per cent sell-on clause in the contract.

Fernandez only arrived at Al Qadsiah a year ago but is already moving on to the German giants.

Leverkusen are very active in the summer transfer market as they recognise the need to improve Erik ten Hag’s team.

The German team have lost a number of key players this summer such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Granit Xhaka, with Piero Hincapie on brink of a move to Premier League giants Arsenal.

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