Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin loaned to Leganes
The Ukrainian arrived at Santiago Bernabeu in June, but will spend his first season on loan after being sent to Madrid’s Liga rivals
Real Madrid youngster Andriy Lunin will play the 2018-19 season at Leganes after the two clubs agreed a loan deal for the goalkeeper.
Lunin, 19, joined Madrid from Zorya Luhansk in June and featured in two International Champions Cup games while Keylor Navas was on post-World Cup leave.
The arrival of Thibaut Courtois, however, pushes the Ukrainian further down in the club’s pecking order between the posts, with the ex-Chelsea man, Navas and Kiko Casilla providing ample cover for the coming season.
And rather than send Lunin to the Castilla feeder club in Spain’s third tier, the Merengue have opted to let him hone his trade at one of their Liga rivals.
“Real Madrid C. F. and C. D. Leganés have reached an agreement over the loan of Andriy Lunin for the current campaign, in a deal running until 30 June 2019,” Madrid confirmed in a statement on their official website.
Lunin made his professional debut at the tender age of 17 for first club Dnipro, and already boasts two caps for Ukraine having represented his nation from the Under-16 to U-21 levels.
And while he will deputise for Leganes captain Jon Ander Serantes, back in Madrid uncertainty continues to loom over the identity of Julen Lopetegui’s favoured starter.
Navas has so far retained his position in the first team for the Blancos’ first three competitive games, a UEFA Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid and two Liga wins over Getafe and Girona.
It remains to be seen, however, how long Madrid can keep Courtois on the bench after spending €35m (£31m/$40m) on the Belgium international.
“It’s not a situation that’s easy to understand but it’s simple enough to explain,” Lopetegui stated following the Getafe match.
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“I’ve got some really good options in goal and there are no problems in that area. We’ll decide what’s best for each game.
“Keylor got the nod today and did very well. There’s great competition and that makes us stronger in the goalkeeping department. I’ve got some thoughts in my mind, but I’m not going to share them.
“Over the course of the season, I’ll look for solutions to solve the next immediate challenge.”