Raphael Varane has discussed his move from Lens to Real Madrid.

The defender admits both Real coach Zinedine Zidane and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho were both hugely influential.

Varane told La Voix du Nord: "It was a crazy time. My mother told me that it would be the craziest of my life no doubt: the move, the beginnings in the pros with Lens, a transfer that took shape ... On the eve of the move I was in Madrid, notably to discuss with Mourinho.

"It was crazy. I received a lot of phone calls from agents, and among all that, Zizou, whom I did not recognize right away ... I said I was busy ... Then I saw my brother, who said 'But you're crazy or what?' (Laughs) He had reacted warmly.

"He has never spoken again about that, but by the wink of fate, now he's my coach."