Lunin renews with Real Madrid: full details and length of contract

Andriy Lunin has renewed his contract with Real Madrid, extending the preexisting deal until 30 June 2028. It brings to an and a tale that goes to proves that football is more changeable than the tides.

Because only a month ago, the Ukranian keeper appeared to be on his way out of the club. His contract was due to expire in 2025 and, with the risk of losing him on a free transfer next summer, the club had decided there were two options - renew his contract... or sell him. As the protocol dictates.

Should I stay or should I go?

The keeper had a contract renewal proposal on the table for months. And there it remained. There was no response. Lunin, whose contractual affairs have been handled by Jorge Mendes since April, only demanded to have guaranteed amount of playing time to sign on the dotted line. ‘Only’ being the operative word.

Few players are guaranteed minutes at Madrid and Lunin less so, given the kind of form Courtois is in. So the paths, as the weeks went by, did nothing but separate, seeming irreconcilable. September arrived and it began to be assumed that he would leave for free. But history has taken an unexpected turn. Now, he feels strong enough to compete with Courtois. And has committed his future to the club. Without further explanation.

Despite not knowing how much playing time he will get, Andriy has decided to stay, renewing for three seasons which means he will be a Real Madrid player, at least, until he is 29 years old. That is, unless there are new twists in the tale between now and then. The difference now is that leaving will no longer depend exclusively on him - to move on, he will have to go through the club and negotiate his exit. That changes everything.

There had been weeks of many doubts in Lunin’s head, wondering what might happen with Kepa (he would have been the replacement, if he left) and an uncomfortable silence for all parties. The goalkeeper’s entourage pushed him to leave, but his head told him to stay.

Twice on his way out...

Lunin has been placed on the transfer list on two occasions, and in the end has signed almost a lifetime deal. Madrid had already decided to sell him in the summer of 2023, but the situation changed drastically when Courtois tore his cruciate ligament just before the new campaign was to start.

Lunin stepped up, convinced and earned his place. The club, on a sporting level, has no doubts about him and Andriy, now, conveys that he feels strong enough to compete with Courtois. The pieces, which a month ago seemed impossible to fit together, have come together to complete the puzzle.

Five games in two years

Lunin joined Madrid in 2018 but it wasn’t until the summer of 2020 that he finally settled. He spent his first few years out on loan at Leganés, Valladolid and Oviedo before coming back to stay on a more permanent basis ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. That season, he played just one official match: the Copa del Rey tie against Alcoyano (which Madrid lost 2-1). He had to wait until the following season to dust off his gloves - but only slightly: two Cup matches (the rematch against Alcoyano, a trip to Elche in the Cup) and two League matches, in the end, with the title already won (the derby at the Metropolitano and the visit to Cádiz). That clash against Atlético was his first with Madrid in the League: 1,416 days and three loans later.

But in 2022-23 his chance finally arrived. With Courtois in and out of the team with physical problems, the doors opened for him at last. Andriy played 12 games and on the eighth official, he posted his first clean sheet.

Last season, he was able to definitively show his worth and that he is a capable deputy for the Belgian. His patience has also allowed him to build up an impressive list of honors: two Champions Leagues, two LaLiga titles, one Copa del Rey, a Club World Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Supercups.