Carvajal returns to Madrid from Leverkusen

Real Madrid CF have re-signed Daniel Carvajal from Bayer 04 Leverkusen after activating a clause in his contract.

The right-back, currently with Spain at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Israel, moved to Leverkusen for €5m last summer after nine years in the Madrid ranks, but the deal included an arrangement for the Spanish side to sign him back for predefined sums over the next three seasons. After the 21-year-old's fine displays for a team that finished third in the Bundesliga, Madrid have paid the requisite €6.5m to take back the 2011 UEFA European U19 Championship winner.

"We regret very much not having Daniel around any more," said Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler. "But we knew right from the beginning that Madrid would realise his potential sooner or later. He has convinced so much in the past year with us that Madrid's decision was not really a surprise."

Leverkusen CEO Wolfgang Holzhäuser added: "As sorry as we are to lose him, we do not begrudge him fulfilling his childhood dream: to play for Real Madrid's senior side. Daniel has come through the ranks of all youth teams there, he is a real 'Madridista'."

Both teams begin the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League in the group stage.