Real Madrid have officially completed the signing of Carlos Espí, with the highly-rated striker taking part in his first training session at Valdebebas on Friday after the club activated his €25 million release clause at Levante.
The 21-year-old arrives as Gonzalo prepares to complete his transfer to Fulham, with Mourinho identifying Espí as the preferred replacement for the academy graduate. The Portuguese coach welcomed the new signing during training as the squad continued preparations for Saturday’s
preseason friendly against Fiorentina.
According to the club’s training report, the session began in the gym before moving onto the pitch, where the players worked alongside several academy prospects. The group completed passing exercises, sprint drills, tactical work, a small-sided game, and finished with shooting practice as Mourinho continued building fitness ahead of the new campaign.
Espí could make his unofficial debut immediately, having been included in the squad for the trip to face Fiorentina. Unlike some late summer arrivals, the striker enters preseason in good physical condition after training with Levante throughout July before finalizing his move to Madrid.
Gonzalo was absent once again as his move to Fulham nears completion. Dean Huijsen continued working indoors, while Raúl Asencio, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, and Rodrygo remained on individualized recovery programs.
A rapid rise to the Bernabéu
Espí’s move caps one of Spanish football’s quickest breakthroughs in recent memory.
Just over a year ago, the striker was weighing up loan opportunities in the Segunda División after struggling for minutes at Levante. Rather than leave, he chose to stay and fight for his place despite limited opportunities under then-manager Julián Calero.
Everything changed midway through last season when Luis Castro took over.
The coaching change transformed Espí’s role, and the forward responded with an outstanding campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in roughly 1,300 league minutes. His goals proved instrumental in helping Levante avoid relegation after the club had appeared destined for the drop only months earlier.
His performances quickly attracted attention across Europe, but Real Madrid moved decisively once the opportunity became available.
Interestingly, Madrid’s interest predates his breakout season. The club had previously attempted to sign Espí for Castilla in 2024, but Levante rejected the approach, believing the striker’s long-term value would only increase.
This time, the circumstances were different.
With a release clause of €25 million and several Premier League, Italian, and Portuguese clubs monitoring the player, Real Madrid chose to trigger the clause and complete the transfer in a matter of days.
A grounded personality behind the breakout season
Those closest to Espí consistently describe him as a player whose mentality matches his talent.
Born in Tavernes de la Valldigna, the striker developed locally before progressing through Alzira and eventually Levante’s academy. Family members and former coaches have often highlighted his ambition from an early age, recalling how he constantly sought stronger competition rather than easier opportunities.
Off the pitch, Espí has continued studying Physical Activity and Sports Sciences while building his professional career, earning praise for balancing football with academics.
His humility has also become part of his reputation.
During Levante’s successful battle against relegation, Espí reportedly insisted his teammates join him when he received La Liga’s Player of the Month award, telling them the recognition belonged to the entire squad rather than himself.
Agent: “When Real Madrid calls, there are no doubts”
Speaking to Marca after the transfer became official, Espí’s representative, Pep Serer, admitted the interest from other European clubs became irrelevant once Real Madrid entered the race.
Serer praised the club’s handling of negotiations and emphasized that the striker arrives understanding both the challenge and the opportunity ahead.
Rather than expecting immediate prominence, Espí is focused on learning from experienced teammates while continuing his development under Mourinho.
The agent also described him as an aggressive, hardworking center forward capable of changing games through his pressing, movement, and physical presence.
Family kept transfer secret until the deal was done
Espí’s father, Juanjo, revealed that negotiations remained confidential until every detail had been finalized.
According to him, even close family members were unaware of the move while discussions between the clubs were ongoing. He described the transfer as something the family never anticipated only months earlier, especially after Espí had spent much of last season fighting simply to establish himself in Levante’s first team.
Juanjo credited Luis Castro’s confidence for changing the trajectory of his son’s career and stressed that remaining humble has always been central to Espí’s upbringing.
A different profile up front
Standing at 1.94 meters (6-foot-4), Espí offers Real Madrid a classic center-forward profile built around physicality, aerial ability, relentless pressing, and intelligent movement inside the penalty area.
Despite his size, he has also earned praise for improving technically over recent seasons, making him more than simply a target man.
His emergence was one of La Liga’s biggest stories last season, and Real Madrid will now hope that trajectory continues in white.
Saturday’s friendly against Fiorentina could provide supporters with their first glimpse of the club’s newest signing as Mourinho continues shaping his squad ahead of the new campaign.
