Silva joins Real Madrid on a free from Manchester City | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Bernardo Silva has joined Real Madrid following the expiration of his contract at six-time Premier League champions Manchester City.

The Portuguese international, 31, is currently gearing up to represent Portugal in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup against DR Congo, and has decided to join Los Blancos on a two-year deal until 2028.

Silva made 406 appearances for City between 2017 and 2026, operating in several positions as part of Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary system, scoring 76 goals and winning 20 major trophies during his nine year spell with the club.

A statement on Real Madrid’s website read: “Real Madrid C. F. and Bernardo Silva have reached an agreement for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2028.”

Manchester City also thanked the 31-year-old for his contribution to what has been their most successful recent spell in the club’s history.

Silva’s haul of trophies includes all six Premier League titles won under Guardiola, in addition to one Champions League, three FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, a FIFA Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup medal.

Spanish midfielder Rodri could also be on his way towards an exit from City, having confirmed that he will not decide where his future lies until after the conclusion of the World Cup.

The playmaker will join up with fellow Portuguese Jose Mourinho as the latest step in Madrid’s rebuild follow a trophyless season that also saw Barcelona crowned 2025/26 La Liga champions under Hansi Flick.

Silva is the second high-profile Premier League player to have made the switch to Spain, with Chelsea wing-back Marc Cucurella having signed for a fee of £53.1m last Sunday.

It’s possible that Cucurella’s former teammate and want-away Enzo Fernandez follows the Spaniard and Silva to Madrid, having been dropped by Liam Rosenior for publicly expressing the desire to leave for the Bernabeu.

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