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Madrid grab Garay from Racing

Real Madrid CF have signed defender Ezequiel Garay from Real Racing Club Santander for a fee of around €10m – but have loaned him back to the UEFA Cup qualifiers.

Ezequiel Garay has signed for Madrid but will spend next season back at Racing
Ezequiel Garay has signed for Madrid but will spend next season back at Racing ©Getty Images

Real Madrid CF have signed centre-back Ezequiel Garay from Real Racing Club Santander for a reported fee of €10m – but have loaned him back to the UEFA Cup qualifiers for next season.

Goalscoring defender
The 21-year-old, who has been capped once by Argentina, has agreed a six-year deal with the Primera División champions. Garay arrived at Racing during the 2005/06 campaign from CA Newell's Old Boys yet it was his form the following season that alerted Europe's leading clubs – he scored nine goals in 31 league games, including three against Madrid.

European finish
Despite missing the latter part of this term with a knee injury, Garay still played 22 times in the top flight, scoring three goals, as Racing finished sixth to qualify for the UEFA Cup. The set-piece specialist was part of the Argentina team that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005.