Derby County have signed Real Madrid midfielder Omar Mascarell on a season-long loan.
It's a coup for Derby boss Steve McClaren as tribalfootball.com understands Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was keen to add the 21 year-old to his senior squad this season.
Mascarell impressed Ancelotti and his coaching staff during Real's US tour, but the Castilla star had decided he wanted to make a step up this season.
He was interesting Primera and Segunda Division clubs before Derby's swoop.
McClaren said this morning: "We're delighted that we have been able to bring Omar to the club.
"He is a talented young player and I have monitored his progress for a number of years after first coming to my attention whilst in Holland at FC Twente.
"Our head of football operations Chris Evans has worked tirelessly to get this deal over the line and spent a few days in Spain thrashing out a deal with Real Madrid.
"We would like to thank Real for allowing Omar to spend the season with us and we are looking forward to working with him."
