Real Madrid Sign Ghana Defender Oscar Naasei Ahead of LaLiga

Real Madrid have announced the signing of Ghanaian defender Oscar Naasei Oppong from Granada on a three-year contract. The 21-year-old centre-back has completed his medical and will initially join Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s development side, rather than move directly into the senior squad.

The agreement is understood to be worth around €2 million. Real Madrid moved to secure Naasei after he attracted interest from several Spanish clubs, winning the race for a defender whose progress through Granada’s system had made him a notable young prospect in Spain.

Naasei was born in Accra and joined Granada in 2023. He progressed through the club’s youth ranks before breaking into the first-team setup. He has made two appearances for Granada in the Segunda Division this season, continuing a rise that has now taken him to one of Europe’s most prominent clubs.

His main position is centre-back, but he can also play at right-back. That defensive versatility has added to his appeal as he enters Real Madrid’s structure. At Castilla, he will train and compete within the club’s development system while working to establish himself and move closer to the senior team.

The transfer also follows Naasei’s first involvement with Ghana’s senior national team. He was included in the Black Stars squad for the friendly against Mexico on 22 May and made his senior international debut in that match. The appearance came as he continued to build first-team experience with Granada.

For Ghana, the move gives a young international defender the chance to develop inside a club with a demanding pathway from reserve football to the first team. Naasei is the latest Ghanaian youngster to join one of Europe’s biggest clubs, although his immediate task is to earn a regular place at Castilla and continue the progress that began in Granada’s academy.

Real Madrid’s senior side are currently first in LaLiga 2026 after two matches, with six points from two wins and a 6-2 goal record. Their recent five-match sequence is also positive overall: victories against Leganes, Athletic Club, Sevilla FC and Oviedo were followed by a 2-0 defeat away to Barcelona. Naasei’s arrival therefore comes while the first team has made a strong opening to the league campaign, but the club’s announcement places his initial development at Castilla.

Real Madrid’s next fixture is at home against Malaga in LaLiga on 30 August 2026. Naasei’s immediate focus will remain with Castilla as he adapts to his new surroundings, with the three-year agreement giving him time to develop his defensive game, gain experience and work towards an eventual opportunity with the senior team.