Who is new Real Madrid signing Vinicius Tobias?

Real Madrid have used the special winter transfer window established by FIFA following the Russian invasion of Ukraine to sign Vinicius Tobías from Shakhtar Donetsk. The 18-year-old Brazilian full back will join on loan until the end of the season and for the 2022-23 campaign with a purchase option of €18 million written into the deal. Initially, Tobías will be registered with Raúl’s Castilla side as the reserves have two squad places available and have no limit on non-EU players. The defender, who was also a target for Atlético Madrid, will not be able to play for the senior side in LaLiga this season as the non-EU quota of three players is already filled by his namesake Vinicius, Rodrygo and Éder Militão.

However, Tobías can be inscribed for the Champions League as UEFA, in line with FIFA’s regulation, has authorized the registration of new players from clubs in Russia and Ukraine until 1 April.

Tobías, who is Madrid’s only winter signing this season, has not yet made an official senior appearance for Shakhtar after joining the Ukrainian side in January from Internacional Porto Alegre. He did though play in six friendlies for the club before the Russian invasion halted all football activity in the country. Tobías has also been capped by Brazil’s junior sides on six occasions.

The special FIFA window for foreign players at Russian and Ukrainian clubs opened on 7 March and runs until 7 April with a single club only allowed to sign two players maximum through this measure.