Paulo Iago is set to join Sporting Lisbon and leave Real Madrid following ten years at the academy.
He will initially join up with Sporting’s B team, with the possibility of moving up into the first team in due course.
The Athletic reported in June Iago had informed Madrid that he wanted to leave and was waiting for an offer from another club. The 17-year-old was regarded as one of the most promising youth players in Madrid’s academy and was demanding a more prominent role at the club.
He was unhappy with his prominence in Alvaro Arbeloa’s Juvenil A (under 19) team, two steps above the age level he was entitled to be playing.
Iago’s path at Valdebebas began to be unclear in 2023. He signed a new two-year contract until 2025 amid doubts about the club’s plans for him, despite Madrid offering him terms until 2026. This enabled Iago, his agency and his family to review the situation this summer and hold more power.
Madrid had been in talks about a new contract for the attacking midfielder this year, but doubts had emerged on both sides over whether an agreement would be reached.
Madrid’s preferred option was that Iago stay and renew, but in the face of his refusal it was agreed that an exit would be sought so that he would not be a free agent in 2025.
The Spain youth international was signed by prominent agent Jorge Mendes in 2021. Mendes has already had a significant role in this summer’s transfer window at the Bernabeu, with his client Leny Yoro set to join Manchester United this week despite Madrid having previously been favourites to sign him. In addition, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s contract is up for renewal until 2029, but his future remains up in the air.
(Alex Caparros – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
