Endrick joins Lyon on season-long loan from Real Madrid

Real Madrid striker Endrick has joined Olympique Lyonnais on loan, the Ligue 1 club has confirmed. 

The 19-year-old Brazil international will don the No 9 shirt for Paulo Fonseca’s side in a deal that will run until the end of the season.

It is hoped that the move, which does not include an option to buy, will provide Endrick with regular playing time, a commodity that has been scarce in the early months of Xabi Alonso’s chequered reign as Real Madrid manager.

Under the terms of the deal, Lyon will foot the bill for part of the forward’s wages and be  liable for further payments if Endrick does not start at least 25 games. 

The arrangement was confirmed by Lyon in a statement on their official website.

Endrick joins Lyon: how Real Madrid loan was announced

“Olympique Lyonnais is delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with Real Madrid for the arrival of Brazilian international forward Endrick, on a paid loan worth up to €1 million, until the end of the season,” read the statement.

Endrick’s move comes 18 months after the teenager arrived at the Bernabéu from Brazilian Série A side Palmeiras. He went on to make 37 appearances in his debut season in the Spanish capital, but has been limited to just 22 minutes since June, when Alonso took over from Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian manager now in charge of Brazil.

Why Endrick loan move makes sense for Brazil forward

Things should change for Endrick under Fonseca, although not in time for Lyon’s trip to Monaco on 3 January, which will mark the club’s first game following the conclusion of the French league’s winter break. Under Ligue 1 rules, a player cannot turn out for a new club until the transfer has been lodged officially. Since that cannot happen until New Year’s Day, the first game for which Endrick will be available will be on 11 January, when the club travels to Lille for a Coupe de France game.

That moment cannot come soon enough for the striker, whose lack of minutes, compounded by a hamstring injury in the early weeks of the season, has resulted in his omission from the past four Brazil squads. 

Real Madrid confirmed Endrick’s much-anticipated loan move to Lyon in a brief statement.

“Real Madrid CF and Olympique Lyonnais have agreed a loan de