Real Madrid have completed the signing of Joselu on a loan deal from Espanyol. The forward will be the replacement for Karim Benzema, who left to sign for Al Ittihad on a €200 million deal. The Spain international will spend the 2023/24 season on loan with Los Blancos, and is expected to be a short-term solution to the club’s striker problems.

This leaves Joselu as the only natural striker in the line-up, with makeshift roles for Rodrygo and Fede Valverde other possible options for them. The striker returns to Real Madrid, having once been part of their youth system. He scored two goals in two appearances across two seasons during his last spell, and will now be the first-choice striker for the coming season.

Joselu joins Real Madrid on loan for 2023/24

Joselu Real Madrid transfer news — Via Fabrizio Romano’s Twitter

Espanyol will receive a transfer fee worth €500,000 for the move. They have also included the option to sign the player permanently worth €1.5 million, which is not mandatory. Joselu has reduced his salary to make the move, and personal terms were never a problem to get the deal over the line.

This past season, the 33-year-old finished as one of the top scorers in La Liga. He found the back of the net 16 times and provided two assists in 34 league games. However, Espanyol ended up getting relegated in spite of his contributions.

The player had a clause in his contract that allowed him to depart temporarily in case Espanyol were relegated. And now, he has returned to Madrid to help them replace Karim Benzema for the coming season.