Madrid signs teenage defender Varane from Lens

Madrid signs teenage defender Varane from Lens

Published Jun. 27, 2011 4:28 p.m. ET

Real Madrid has signed French teenage defender Rafael Varane from Lens to a six-year contract.

The 18-year-old center back, who was also courted by Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, passed his medical with Madrid on Monday before signing the deal.

Reports put the transfer fee at about ?10 million.

Varane had previously met Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane, who has taken on a more active role in the backroom staff and is believed to have helped persuade Varane to join the Spanish club.

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Varane scored two goals in 23 league appearances last season as Lens was relegated to the second division.

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