Real Madrid sign Racing Santander teenager Sergio Martinez for €3m

Racing Santander have announced that midfielder Sergio Martinez is joining Real Madrid after the Spanish giants paid the €3m release clause in his contract in full.

The 19-year-old is expected to sign a deal running until 2030, according to reports. Real Madrid are set to register Martinez with their reserve side, although he will remain eligible to make appearances for the first team.

Martinez is primarily a central midfielder and has already featured in Racing Santander’s opening two matches of the current season. He scored once during those games, adding to the early attention surrounding his move to one of Europe’s leading clubs.

The transfer follows reports that Real Madrid could immediately loan Martinez back to Racing Santander for the rest of the current campaign, with the player joining the Madrid first team next season. That possibility was rejected by Romano, who said Martinez would be with Real Madrid directly rather than returning to his former club on loan.

Racing Santander’s announcement confirms the completion of the move after the release clause was triggered. The fee means the player will leave the club without the need for a separate transfer agreement between the two sides.

Although Martinez is initially expected to be registered with Real Madrid’s reserve team, the arrangement does not prevent him from playing for the senior side. He can therefore be available to the first team while continuing to be officially linked with the club’s reserve set-up.

His senior record at Racing Santander remains limited but productive. Martinez has made 15 appearances for the first team in total, scoring one goal and providing one assist. He has now added another goal at the beginning of the current season before completing his move to Real Madrid.

The transfer represents the latest step in the development of a player who has moved into senior football at Racing Santander at the age of 19. His contract with Real Madrid, reported to run until 2030, places him on a long-term pathway at the club, with his registration and future first-team involvement now to be managed in Madrid.