After previous speculation that Barcelona were on the fast track to obtaining Racing defender Ezequiel Garay, Real Madrid sealed the deal and sign the Argentine international.

The dealmaker apparently for Real was he fact that they were able to pay Racing 10 million euros in one payment instead of the four payments totalling 18 million that Barcelona proposed. He would also remain at Racing for one more season, but as on a loan basis.

Garay, 21, finished playing his third season in Spain and has yet to debut for the Argentine national team, but is constantly mentioned for future Albiceleste call-ups. A key member of last year’s U-20 World Cup winning team, Garay bolted onto the scene. The former Newell’s Old Boys’ player caught the attention of teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Liverpool while playing for Racing Santander. Although he presently take up a non-EU player spot he would no longer do that by the end of next season as he would be eligible for Spanish citizenship.