Lucas Vazquez has joined Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer and signed a two-year deal at the Bundesliga club.
Vazquez left Real Madrid in July after 18 years at the Santiago Bernabeu, during which time he amassed 23 titles in 402 games for the first team.
The 34-year-old has taken his time to find a new club but has opted to move abroad and try his luck in Germany with Leverkusen.
Rolfes excited to have Vazquez on board at Leverkusen
The club’s sporting director Simon Rolfes said: “With Lucas Vázquez, we are signing an extremely experienced player who has won everything there is to win with Real Madrid.
“He is technically strong, tactically adept, an excellent provider and strategist. With his footballing finesse and exceptional experience, Lucas will have a major influence on our game and become a pillar of our team.”
Vazquez treads the same path as Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, albeit in reverse, and revealed he had been given two key recommendations prior to signing on at the BayArena.
He said: “I’m looking forward to continuing my career at Bayer Leverkusen. Xabi Alonso and my long-time team-mate Dani Carvajal told me a lot about the club while I was at Madrid.
“My discussions with the management have confirmed what I’ve been told: Bayer 04 is absolutely victory-oriented, hungry, and focused on the highest goals. This attitude aligns with my expectations, and I’m looking forward to striving for further success with Leverkusen.”
Slow start for Ten Hag revolution
There has been a major overhaul at Leverkusen this summer as they attempt to regain the Bundesliga title they lost to Bayern Munich last season.
Alonso has been replaced by Erik ten Hag while the likes of Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Amine Adli have all left the club. There have been plenty of incomings too, including Jarell Quansah, Loic Bade, Malik Tillman and Claudio Echeverri.
The Ten Hag era did not get off to the best of starts, though, with Leverkusen losing 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim in their first Bundesliga game of the season at the weekend.
