Lucas Vazquez signs for Bayer Leverkusen till 2027 after Real Madrid goodbye

After bidding farewell to his home in Real Madrid this summer, Lucas Vazquez has found a new home in Germany. The 34-year-old right-back has signed with Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer, with the Bundesliga side confirming on Tuesday that the veteran will stay until 2027.

Vazquez, who spent nearly his entire career draped in Real Madrid’s iconic white, completed his medical in Madrid before sealing the deal. The move comes just months after Jeremie Frimpong’s departure to Liverpool left Leverkusen scrambling for reinforcements at right-back. If all goes to plan, Vazquez could make his debut this weekend when Leverkusen travel to Werder Bremen.

Interestingly, former Leverkusen boss and now Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso played a key role in convincing Vazquez to take the plunge. Dani Carvajal, another Real star with Leverkusen history, also weighed in with some positive words about life in Germany’s top flight.

"I’m looking forward to continuing my career at Bayer Leverkusen...A club that coach Xabi Alonso and my long-time teammate Dani Carvajal told me so much about in Madrid,” Vazquez said.

At 34, the Spaniard is in the latter half of his career. But, Vazquez leaves behind a glittering legacy at Madrid: four La Liga crowns, five Champions League titles, and a reputation for being one of the squad’s most reliable performers, be it in whatever position he is asked to play in. Originally a winger, former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti often used Vazquez as a full-back due to injuries in the squad, and the Spanish star always made the best of the responsibility.

“In Lucas Vazquez, we are signing an extremely experienced player who has won everything there is to win with Real Madrid over the past ten years...He is technically strong, tactically savvy, an excellent playmaker and strategist. Lucas will have a major influence on our game with his footballing sophistication and will become a mainstay on our team,” Rolfes said.

Even last season, the nine-time capped Spanish international had his moments despite increased competition, particularly after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at the Bernabeu from Liverpool. This even resulted in him being pushed down the pecking order.

After being one of the standout players for one of the most successful clubs in the world, Vazquez will now be one of the main anchors of the Leverkusen side under their manager Erik ten Hag. With the summer 2025 transfer window witnessing Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, and Frimpong all cross the channel to the Premier League, with Jonathan Tah joining Bayern Munich and Alonso leaving for for Madrid, Vazquez signing is as much about leadership as it is about plugging gaps.