LALIGA

Eduardo Camavinga extends Real Madrid contact: how long is it and what is his buy-out clause?

The French midfielder has joined Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo in committing his long-term future to the LaLiga giants.

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Eduardo Camavinga is not going anywhere. After Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, the Frenchman has become the third Real Madrid player to put pen to paper on a contract extension, which will affect his status at the club as much as the length of his stay.

How long is Camavinga contracted to Real Madrid?

The midfielder was already under contract until 2027 but will now be staying at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu until 2029, when he will be 26. As well as those two extra years, Camavinga will be rubbing his hands at a not insignificant pay rise, while, like his Brazilian teammates, his deal includes a €1 billion ($1.07 billion) buy-out clause, designed to fend off potential interest from state-backed clubs with deep pockets.

Camavinga, then 18, was signed from Rennes for an initial €30 million ($32.03 million) on the last day of the summer transfer window in 2021 after refusing to sign a new contract with his boyhood club, whose academy he had worked his way through. Madrid swooped, viewing him as a player for the future, and one who could play several different roles in the team.

French youngster key in Champions League win

In 2021-22, he played the full 90 minutes of a game just once in the first half of season but gradually became a more and more important member of Carlo Ancelotti’s roster, learning to cut out the needless fouls given away and the unnecessary yellow cards picked up. He appeared in a total of 40 matches by the end of the campaign and played a key role, mostly off the bench, as Real Madrid won the Champions League for the 14th time.

“I don’t want to be a luxury substitute all my life,” he said at the time. “But I know there’s a process I have to go through and I have a lot of people in front of me at the moment. I have to learn and wait. My time will come”.

Camavinga’s different roles at Real Madrid

The Frenchman took another big step forward last season, playing 59 games, more than anyone else on the roster (ahead of Rodrygo, 57, and Fede Valverde, 56). He missed only one game in LaLiga due to suspension and the last Champions League group match, when Los Blancos had already secured qualification for the knockout rounds.

Camavinga started playing as a defensive-minded midfielder before realising he was more comfortable in a more forward-thinking role. However, Ancelotti also stumbled on a fine left-back, despite his reluctance to play there (”I don’t like playing there, but sometimes you have to do it!). Such was the Italian’s confidence in the youngster, he started at full-back in the Copa del Rey final, both legs of last season’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City and the recent Clásico against Barcelona. Is there anything Camavinga can’t do?

What trophies has Camavinga won with Los Blancos?

After arriving for those €30 million ($32.03 million), Camavinga’s market value has trebled. Turning 21 on Friday, he remains one for the future, yet he already has a trophy-laden past, winning everything there is to win with Real Madrid (one Champions League, one LaLiga title, one Copa del Rey, one UEFA Super Cup, one Spanish Super Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup).

Perhaps his only major disappointment has come with France, for whom he has become an undisputed starter and with whom he lost the World Cup final to Argentina in a penalty shootout. In 2024, he will have another shot at international glory in the European Championship, although there will be plenty of opportunities for more silverware at club level before then.

First it was Vinícius, then it was Rodrygo, now it’s Camavinga. Valverde is expected to be next to tie his long-term future to the club on Thursday.

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