Eintracht Frankfurt forward Luka Jovic has completed a move to Real Madrid, the German side have confirmed. Jovic has signed a five-year deal with Los Blancos in a deal worth around £52.4 million (€60 million).
Jovic, 21, began his career in his native Serbia with Red Star Belgrade. In the 2014/15 season, he made 22 appearances in the Serbian Superliga, scoring six times in a breakout campaign. He then began 2015/16 with Belgrade, scoring five and assisting two in 19 games before moving to Benfica.
He started out in the B team in the Ledman Ligapro, scoring two in seven, and also made a six-minute cameo for the first team in Liga NOS. The season also brought about a Champions League debut, as he made a two-minute substitute appearance against Bayern Munich.
Jovic failed to really break into the side in 2016/17, scoring two league goals in 11 appearances, so joined Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. Eight goals and one assist in 22 games followed; a much better return and easily the best of his career so far.
What followed further on, though, would be far greater. This season Jovic has set Europe alight as one of the brightest young prospects in the game. He netted 17 from 31 Bundesliga appearances for Frankfurt and added an additional ten in a Europa League campaign that saw them defeated by Chelsea in the semi-finals.
With Real Madrid having suffered a turbulent season, it could be a risk going for a young player. However, Jovic’s quality is undoubted and they have certainly got themselves one of the best talents available.
If Real Madrid can get their reported deal for Eden Hazard over the line they will have one of the deadliest attacks going as they look to reaffirm their status at the top of European football. A poor league campaign and a Champions League exit to Ajax has left this season as a write-off, but Madrid look to be roaring back.