Fran García (Bolaños de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, 14/08/1999) has returned to Real Madrid, this time to stay for long. The left-back returns to the club where he spent seven seasons after a three-year stint at Rayo Vallecano, where he has amassed experience (72 games in the Primera División) and has become one of the league's top defenders. In last season's championship, he was the outfield player to have played the most minutes (3,408). His performances earned him a call for the national Spanish Team becoming thus part of the team that won Uefa Nations League on June 18.
At the age of 23, Fran García knows exactly what it's like to wear the Real Madrid shirt. He made his debut with the first team in a 2018/19 Copa del Rey match against Melilla and provided an assist. He was then in the Castilla team for the first of his two seasons. He came to the academy side after playing in different youth teams since he joined the club in 2013 to play in the under 15s. After seven seasons in the youth academy, in 2020 he moved to Rayo and helped the club gain promotion to the Primera División. He was an ever-present player on the left side of the Vallecano team, playing 40 games last season scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists.
His career path follows Bolaños (2009-13), then Real Madrid youth categories Under 15s (2013-14), Under 16s (2014-15), Under 17s (2015-16), Under 19s (2016-18), Castilla (2018-20), Rayo Vallecano (2020-23) and finally Real Madrid first team from now on. The youngster visited the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital on June 12, where he successfully passed the medical examination ahead of his presentation as a new Real Madrid player.
Before the presentation ceremony, Fran García signed his new four-year contract in the boardroom at Real Madrid City, alongside President Florentino Pérez. After the signing, he was presented with a watch, a replica of the Santiago Bernabéu and a jersey with his name and the number 20 shirt. The event of his unveiling as a Real Madrid player took place at Real Madrid City and started with the screening of a video featuring the player's best highlights.
President Florentino Pérez, said his word after the video: "As time goes by, we must bring in young players who have already shown that they are the present and the future of our club, like we have been doing in the last few years. Today, in line with this strategic approach for Real Madrid, one of these young players arrives at our club, who, furthermore, has the special status of being someone who has come through our youth academy. We are very proud to have a home-grown player like you”.
"As of today, we begin the journey together to a new season in which we will once again attempt to fulfil the dreams of millions of fans in every corner of the world. We have finished the season with three new trophies: the fifth European Super Cup, the eighth Club World Cup and the twentieth Copa del Rey, which we won last May in Sevilla. We're currently enjoying one of the best periods in our history, having won 5 Champions League titles in the last 9 years, among many other trophies", he added.
Talent and values: "Those of us madridistas who have watched you develop during all this time, are very proud that you are once again wearing our jersey. You have done this through your talent and the values that you have learnt at Real Madrid City and that will be with you forever. Values that have helped you to become the player that you are and that have also allowed you to grow as a person. The same principles that shape Real Madrid's destiny: hard work, sacrifice, humility, respect, solidarity and, above all, never giving up and fighting until the end".
As the President concluded his speech, Fran also had something to express. The new Real Madrid said: "I'm very happy to be here and to be back at my home, where I made my first moves as a player. I'm proud to be able to return to my home and continue to develop here. I hope we can continue to make history at this incredible club, Hala Madrid!”
After being unveiled as a new Real Madrid player, Fran García spoke to the media in his first press conference. The defender said: "It's a dream to be back at Madrid. I'm a very honest person. I've devoted my body and soul to do my best on the pitch to be able to be here today. I'm very proud to see that the work I've done and the journey I've had to make has been rewarded with the chance to return to the home I left".
His time at Rayo: "It was like I did my military service at Rayo during these three years. I've grown a lot as a person and as a player during those three years there and I'm grateful for that. I'm a very solid player and I'm very grateful to Madrid because they instilled that in me from the moment I arrived here. I'm grateful to Rayo because they gave me my first opportunity at a professional level and thanks to them I'm here. It's helped me to develop as a person and as a player".
Carvajal's example: "He's a role model for any player, whatever their position. If only I could have his career. I return here to grow and play an important role. Everyone has their own journey and we shouldn't question the club's decisions. It's obvious that this is the best team in the world. The club's youth system is very well looked after. I saw Castilla yesterday and I'd like to congratulate them on getting through. That reflects the work of the whole youth system".
His return: "Madrid gave me the opportunity to come back and I'm grateful to the president for letting me finish the season there. It was a very special season and I told my family and two important friends, who are like family, that I had the opportunity to return. There's a lot of talk in football and you have to be calm enough to focus and dedicate yourself to the daily work. When I was at Rayo I tried to do my best, and try to manage it in the best possible way and with composure".
Ancelotti: "The only time we spoke was after the game we played and he congratulated me on the season. He told me that we would meet here in a month's time and I'm grateful for his words".
On fighting for a starting place: "I'm not here to compete with any teammate. I'm here to add, to keep growing and to continue to take steps forward. I'm here to give everything I've got to the team and to bring trophies and joy to the club. I'm thrilled to be here. Mendy is an incredible player and he's shown that over the last few seasons. I'm here to add to what is already there and to give everything I have to serve the team and to try to do great things for the club".
Idols: "I met Marcelo and I'm very fond of him because he extended his hand to me. I have a special admiration for Roberto Carlos because I learnt from him in my first year at Castilla when I played alongside him".
Sharing the wing with Vini Jr.: "We all know the strength of Vini Jr. I will try to do my best and bring home as many trophies as possible".
January transfer window: "There was interest from Germany, but Madrid had a buy-back option. I'm happy with how it all turned out".
Butragueño, Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, joined Fran García at the press conference and had the following to say: "You have developed in the values within this club and have become one of the best defenders in our league. We're confident that you'll have a lot of success with us and we wish you all the best in this new stage that is opening up in your life. We'll do everything we can to make you very happy here. Welcome to Real Madrid".
Following the presentation and press conference, Fran García donned the Madrid kit and took to the pitch at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium. The defender posed with his new jersey and showed to the present people some entertaining skills with the ball to greet them.
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