Squad: Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane

Raphael Varane earned the admiration of all European football in his first year in the elite when he was just 18 years old. His impressive height allows him to dominate the aerial game; his versatility makes him a solid defender or central midfielder; and his speed, sense of anticipation, dribbling skills and maturity turned him into one of the most important players on his previous side.

Varane was formed at the academy of Lens, one of the most prolific in France in recent years. Hailing by family from Martinique (his father was born in Le Morne-Rouge), the defender played 23 league games with Lens in the 2010/11 season, 22 of them as a starter. Varane made his debut with a 2-0 victory over Montpellier on 6 November 2010. Three weeks later, he earned a starting position under coach Jean-Guy Wallemme and kept it when Laszlo Boloni replaced him.

Raphael Varane made his international debut with France's Under-18s against Denmark, scoring the last goal in a 24 August friendly (2-0). After a second match with the team he was promoted to the Under-21 side.

Data

• Place of Birth: Lille, France
• Date of Birth: 25/04/1993
• Position: Defender
• Weight: 76 kg
• Height: 191 cm
• Nationality: French

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Raphael Varane impressed in his debut as a starter

Mourinho calls him 'Child Varane'. For his age, 18, could be one of Real Madrid Castilla players, but the recommendation of Zidane brought him to Madrid. Raphael Varane played his first game as a starter in the white team, exhibiting speed and safety. His mentor, Zizou, lost no detail of his steps from the second row bench.

Rapahel Varane during the match against Chivas

The Frenchman played 45 minutes in the first half, under the protective mantle of Carvalho on the left. Unlike the game against the Galaxy, in which he was to the left of Arbeloa, Varane occupied the right central defender position. If the Portuguese central has the virtue of measuring opponents and anticipate them in the plays, the same can be noted with Rafa, but with an height of 1.93 m.

Arbeloa, who played right wing, attacked from the start of the game on many occasions, like Marcelo. The tandem Carvalho-Varane was perfect on the coverage. He left the game recovering four balls and without any fault. The noble art of boxing is to hit without being hit; the art of defending is defend without faults. Varane got it against a tough and feisty Mexican team.

In the air game, he cleared a high risk move in 18' and impressed with his speed to cut the last three Mexican attacks of the first half. In the 39' made a sensational coverage from right to left, in the 40' solved the doubts of Carvalho pulling down and in the 42' came again on the floor to avoid the danger. Earlier in the 36', almost scored with a header on a free kick.

And the 'Child' added more positives after the game when Mourinho revealed he offers himself to play in the midfield if the team requires. He played the last two matches in Lens in that position. This child looks like a man.

Varane: "I can evolve further in Real Madrid"

Raphael Varane

Why did you choose Real Madrid instead of other clubs?Is the team where I can evolve more. In addition, the coach can make me grow as a player and a man.

What were your childhood idols and what do you know Real Madrid?
Real Madrid is a great club. I am proud to be on this team. A great club. I come from Lens, where I played 23 games at Ligue 1, and for me the strongest image when I was a boy, was the World Cup 98 in France. I think Blanc and Thuram were the first football memories that prompted me to be a footballer.

Do you feel integrated?
I talk to everyone on the team. Having a different language makes it more difficult, but I understand it all. I get along very well with Sahin and Karim.

At Real Madrid there is much competition ...
In all clubs there is competition. In a team like Madrid, one must know to train and work hard. I came to work long term. I do not care competition and I will work hard to play.

Who was the first contact to take him to Real Madrid?
The first contact was with the president of Lens, who told me that there was interest from Madrid. Then I talked to Jose Mourinho and Zidane about the project, which I found very interesting.

How about comparisons with Fernando Hierro?
I guess it is obvious to be compared to Hierro. I know his career. I hope to have a career as good as his.

Raphael Varane: New Real Madrid player

Yesterday, Raphael Varane became officially in the fourth signing of Real Madrid for the 2011-12 season. The French central defender landed at 2:50 pm in Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, with great expectations and around twenty media that were waiting him at the exit. He was met by Javier Garcia Coll, director of athlete services of Real Madrid, who accompanied the player throughout the day.

Varane then addressed the Clinic 'Sanitas-La Moraleja' to pass the medical check. When was asked how he felt to become new Real player, he said in a terse: "I am very happy. It is a great joy. I am very happy". After passing medical tests without problems, in the afternoon, Varane moved to the Bernabeu Stadium to stamp the signature on his contract with Real Madrid until 2017.

Raphael Varane wearing the Real Madrid shirt

In the Stadium awaited Florentino Perez, who greeted him in French. As usual in recent times, the Madrid president was also the person who accompanied the player to know the club's museum and trophy room. Mourinho also not forgot that yesterday was the first day of Varane as Real player. Despite being on holiday with his family, wanted to welcome the former Lens player sending him a message to the mobile phone.

Six hours after landing in the capital of Spain, Real Madrid made ​​official the signing on the website: "Real Madrid C.F. and RC Lens have reached an agreement regarding the transfer of Raphael Varane to the former club, where he will remain for the next six seasons".

After a day filled with commitments and emotions, and at night, new Real Madrid signing returned to France to continue his vacation. It was 9 pm.

Real Madrid: A central defender each year since 2003

Since Fernando Hierro left Real Madrid, the input of central defenders has been one of the busiest in the white club. From 2003 to summer 2011, ten players playing in this position have landed at the Bernabeu Stadium. Some of them, with stories that feed a legend of a curse. A wall that will also measure the value of Raphael Varane.

Albiol, Garay, Carvalho and Varane

On June 24, 2003, Jorge Valdano announced non-renewal of contracts with Vicente del Bosque and Fernando Hierro. Only 24 hours had passed since the conquest of the 29th League of the white team. The player of Velez-Malaga added to the Real Madrid's honours three European Cups, two Intercontinental and four National Championships, among other minutiae.

After the leaving of Hierro, team's defensive mainstay for nearly a decade, began the crawling looking for a substitute. An operation in which Real Madrid has invested tens of millions of euros; Pepe costed 30 and Sergio Ramos 27, who came to Madrid to play in the central position and has finished playing at the right side.

At least Ramos (who joined the club in 2005) and Pepe (2007) continue at the club, both pending for renewal, what can not be said of other expensive projects. With little glory left the team; Walter Samuel, Fabio Cannavaro and Christoph Metzelder. Although the worst case was undoubtedly that of Jonathan Woodgate. Signed in 2004 by 25 million euros, just got to play, haunted by all sorts of muscular aches.

Varane is the fourth central defender of the second mandate of Florentino Perez. In 2009 came to Madrid Garay and Albiol, and last year did Carvalho. Eight million costed the veteran Portuguese defender, two fewer than Varane, commitment to the future for a defense, despite everything, more and more solid. Time will tell if the Zidane's 'Blanc' ends up having an impact comparable to that of Fernando Hierro, a player whose absence is still felt in the Bernabeu.

Raphael Varane in Madrid

Raphael Varane, the last signing of Real Madrid, is now in the capital of Spain. The French central defender landed at 2:50 pm in Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport, with great expectations and various media that were waiting him at the exit.

The Lens player arrived from Brussels with his father, and did not made ​​statements to the media, except for a "Yes, yes" when was asked if he was happy to be on the verge of becoming a new player of Real Madrid. Varane then addressed the Clinic 'Sanitas La Moraleja', to pass medical examination and this afternoon will go to the Santiago Bernbeu Stadium where will affix the signature on his contract to join Real Madrid until 2016.

Raphael Varane at the clinic

Raphael Varane will sign for Real Madrid tomorrow

Raphael Varane will be in Madrid tomorrow. The 18 years old central defender will land in the capital of Spain for two reasons: He will pass medical examination in the clinic 'Sanitas La Moraleja' and then will move to the Bernabeu Stadium where, in the presence of general director Jose Angel Sanchez, will sign his contract which will link him with Real Madrid until 2016. In addition, if weather allows, will try to see some houses to live next season.

Raphael Varane

The player, who was in preseason with Lens, now will enjoy a few days on vacation until July 11, when Real Madrid players are summoned in Valdebebas. He will keep working, recommended by doctors, not to lose the fitness gained during those days.

The agreement with Varane was closed on June 21. Real will have to pay to Lens between nine and ten million euros plus variables by purpose. The player will receive a salary of one million euros in his first year. Then he will get an annual increase of 200,000 euros.

With Varane in the capital of Spain, Zinedine Zidane will meet the target that he set when arriving at Real Madrid. Because Zidane has played an important role in this signing. In fact, Zizou brought the player two weeks ago to visit the city, see the facilities and has convinced him that his sporting future is white.

Update: 06/28/11

Zidane: "Varane is a player that is not easy to find"

Zinedine Zidane was yesterday in Aix-en-Provence in southern France. There, was inagurated a sports complex (Z5) and he spoke of Raphael Varane, next Real Madrid signing. "He's a talented and promising player. Is logical that top clubs were interested on him seeking talent, as is the case of Real Madrid. He is a player I like very much. He is a type of defender is not easy to find. From Laurent Blanc, I saw very good central defenders, but none with such serenity. In that sense Varane resembles Blanc. I have not seen many players like that".

Zinedine Zidane: Z5 Sports Complex

Florentino Perez's adviser was asked about the possibilities for the young Lens player to succeed in Real Madrid: "Varane has a great future. If the big clubs wanted to sign him is that he has talent. As director of the first team, I am in my right to go to find promising players. I'm also happy because he is French. I know people in France would have liked that he stays here, but I'm just doing my job".

Zidane was who recommended Mourinho the signing of this young central defender, 18 years old. The Portuguese began to watch videos of his performances and was more than convinced. So much that he (along with Zizou) spoke with Varane and the operation was accelerated to the point that is expected that player passes a medical examination on Monday. So said on Wednesday Gervais Martel, president of the Lens, who confessed: "Mourinho and Zidane spoke with Raphael and the player told me he wanted to go. He will wear the Real Madrid jersey and I'm proud". The operation will be closed between 9 and 10 million euros and Varane will play for Real until 2016.

Varane is close to Real Madrid

The signing of Raphael Varane (18 years old, central defender of Lens) for Real Madrid could be announced today. This was said yesterday afternoon at Radio Montecarlo: "The signing of Varane for Real is practically closed and is scheduled to be made official on Wednesday". Mourinho wanted Varane for his ability to play the ball played from the defense zone (also has played in the Lens as midfielder) and his splendid physical which will allow him to progress a lot in the hands of Portuguese coach.

In fact, Mourinho considers his new signing as the first central defender of the team to substitute Carvalho, so he will compete with Albiol as the third central of the template, which opens the exit door to Garay and Mateos. Mourinho does not want to loan him the next season to a French team. Coach wants to work with him this summer.

All day yesterday, Madrid, Lens and the player's agent had been negotiating. The white club gave payment guarantees to the French team and the transfer will be closed between 9 and 10 million euros, plus variables amounts of money for targets. In addition, Varane will sign a five-years contract, until 2016.

Zidane's role in this signing has been decisive. Manchester United, which had offered 10.5 million euros, and the PSG were very interested in the player. Varane was in Madrid last week to see the facilities of Real Madrid with Zidane as host. The player will face today his latest examination of high school. His father, who at the same time is his agent, has tried to keep him isolated these days so he can finish the studies.

Raphael Varane

Zidane aims at Hazard and Varane

Zidane is one of the scouts in the Real Madrid and his opinion is increasingly important for the club. Especially now that is next to Jose Mourinho, reviewing the videos and talking about football for hours. On the French market, his main field to work, is closely watching two players.

The first one is Eden Hazard, 20, recently crowned Champion of Ligue 1 with Lille, confirming that he is one of the new talents in French football. He was the best player of the French tournament, proving to be a leader prepared to take the leap to a big team. The footballer, Belgium international, has confirmed all the expectations that Zidane had put on him. The former Real Madrid player has warned to Real Madrid for months on the quality of a player with some unusual conditions.

"I would sign Hazard for Madrid with my eyes closed. I would sign him", said Zidane. Real Madrid has long known that that he is a player who must be taken into account, who is growing to succeed in a great team and this season has taken a leap in quality. In favor of Hazard is also his mentality. He is a boy "made ​​in Zizou", focused and humble. The team that gets the player, would get a player with a great future and will not be disappointed by his behavior off the pitch. An exemplary player.

Hazard and Varane

The other player is Raphael Varane,18 years old, central defender from Lens. The young footballer who made his debut in Ligue 1 this season (French international under-21) is a valued player of the European market, because the Lens has fallen to the Ligue 2.

Varane has a contract with his current club until 2015 but has expressed his desire to leave the team. "I want to continue learning in top level competitions to develop my career", he said about the possibility of going abroad. Manchester United, for example and according to L'Equipe, has offered 10.5 million euros for a central defender who attracts the interest of a dozen teams: Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Malaga, Borussia, Lille, Lyon, PSG...

The player is outstanding for domination of the aerial game (1.91m and 85 kg). This season he has played 23 games and scored two goals. Lens, however, ended the season in the penultimate position, as the second most thrashed team (58 goals). But Wallemme, the coach who gave him the opportunity to play in Ligue 1, highlights his enormous potential: "I ​​was impressed by his expertise and serenity". Zidane, who has assumed more importance after the dismissal of Valdano, will be attentive.