Real Madrid Signs Bernardo Silva on Free Transfer Amid Squad Revamp

Real Madrid has officially signed Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester City expired. This move is part of the club's strategy to revamp their squad under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Silva, who enjoyed a successful nine-year stint at City, is expected to enhance the team's midfield with his experience and creativity. Alongside this signing, Real Madrid is also making other strategic acquisitions to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on their summer transfer activities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 23:42 IST

Real Madrid Welcomes Bernardo Silva

Madrid, Spain - June 17: Real Madrid has finalized the acquisition of Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester City came to an end. This signing is part of the club's ambitious strategy to revamp the squad under the leadership of returning head coach Jose Mourinho.

The 31-year-old player joins the Santiago Bernabeu following a remarkable nine-year tenure at Manchester City, where he became one of the most impactful midfielders in the Premier League and contributed significantly to the club's successful era, as reported by a sports outlet.

On Wednesday, Real Madrid announced the deal, stating, “Real Madrid CF and Bernardo Silva have reached an agreement for him to join the club for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2028.”

Silva made the move to Manchester City from AS Monaco in 2017, accumulating 460 appearances for the team. Throughout his time at the Etihad Stadium, he secured six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, five League Cups, and the UEFA Champions League, establishing himself as a vital player in Pep Guardiola's squad due to his versatility, technical skills, and tireless work ethic.

The Portugal international, who has represented his country 109 times and won the UEFA Nations League twice, is anticipated to bring both experience and creativity to a Real Madrid midfield that is undergoing substantial changes ahead of the upcoming season.

This signing is part of a busy summer for Real Madrid, who are eager to recover from a disappointing 2025-26 season where they did not clinch La Liga and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

Recently, the club also secured Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella from Chelsea for an initial fee of £47.5 million, which could rise to £51.8 million with add-ons. Cucurella, who made 163 appearances for Chelsea and played a role in their victories in the Conference League and Club World Cup, reportedly had interest from various European clubs before choosing to move to Madrid.

Additionally, Real Madrid has bolstered their defense by reaching agreements with free-agent center-back Ibrahima Konate and Dutch international Denzel Dumfries, with official announcements anticipated shortly.