Real Madrid have moved quietly but decisively in one of the summer’s most intriguing developmental signings. Real Madrid have completed the signing of highly-rated Ghanaian centre-back Oscar Naasei from Spanish side Granada in a deal reportedly worth around €2 million. The 21-year-old centre-back moves to Los Blancos, where he is expected to continue his development with the club’s reserve team in the third tier of Spanish football.
Granada’s Official Statement
“Granada CF and Real Madrid CF have reached a transfer agreement for the player Oscar Naasei. The Ghanaian defender joined the club in the summer of 2023 as a youth player. He made his debut for Recreativo Granada that same season, and went on to make his first-team debut the following campaign. He leaves having played a total of 48 official matches for the Rojiblancos’ first team across LaLiga Hypermotion and the Copa del Rey.”
The Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | Oscar Naasei Oppong |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Age | 21 |
| Height | 1.85m |
| Position | Centre-Back / Right-Back |
| From | Granada CF |
| To | Real Madrid |
| Fee | €2 Million |
| Initial Destination | Real Madrid Castilla |
| Confirmed By | Fabrizio Romano |
Contract Details
The versatile defender has agreed a two-year contract, with the possibility of extending it to five years if he progresses into the first team.
From Ghana to the Bernabéu — Naasei’s Journey
Naasei began his football journey in Ghana with Emmanuel City Football Academy before moving to Spain in 2023 to join Granada. He progressed through the club’s youth ranks and eventually made his senior debut for Recreativo Granada before establishing himself within Granada’s first-team setup.
Before moving to Spain, the young defender featured for Cheetah FC and Attram de Visser. However, it was at Emmanuel City FC where he enjoyed his breakthrough and caught the attention of scouts.
He made his senior Granada debut starting against Levante in LaLiga Hypermotion.
Career Path
| Club | Years | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Cheetah FC | — | Youth |
| Attram de Visser | — | Youth |
| Emmanuel City FC | — | Youth / Senior |
| Granada CF (Youth) | 2023 | Youth |
| Recreativo Granada | 2023–24 | Senior Debut |
| Granada CF | 2024–2026 | First Team |
| Real Madrid Castilla | 2026– | Permanent |
What Makes Naasei Stand Out
Naasei’s primary position is centre-back, but his versatility is another feature that has helped his development. The 1.85m defender is right-footed and can also operate at right-back, giving coaches an additional option when building their defensive structure.
According to reports, Naasei’s performances at Granada caught the attention of Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho, who regards the Accra-born defender as a potential long-term successor to Antonio Rudiger.
Why Real Madrid Moved Ahead of German Clubs
Real Madrid have paid €2m to sign versatile defender Oscar Naasei this summer, beating competition from a German club.
Naasei is managed by Best of You, a football agency whose client list includes Goncalo Garcia and Casemiro. Former Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero is a partner at the agency, a connection that made Los Blancos a natural destination for the defender.
The Castilla Pathway
The reserve side competes in Spain’s third tier, providing the Ghanaian with an opportunity to adapt to another level of competition while remaining within Real Madrid’s first-team structure.
Real Madrid’s development structure at Castilla is widely regarded as one of the most effective pathways in world football, offering players proximity to a first-team environment while allowing them to compete at a high level.
Should Naasei fail to break into the senior squad, the move is still seen as commercially viable, with Real Madrid likely to command a substantial fee should they choose to sell him on.
International Recognition
Naasei made his debut for Ghana featuring in the friendly against Mexico in May and was part of the provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup.
