Real Madrid has officially announced the signing of Joselu, the talented forward from Espanyol and Spain, on a season-long loan. This agreement includes an option for Real Madrid to make the deal permanent.
Last season, the 33-year-old Joselu showcased his goal-scoring prowess for Espanyol, finding the back of the net 16 times in La Liga. His impressive tally placed him among the top goal-scorers in the league, with only Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema surpassing his record. Despite Espanyol’s relegation from Spain’s top flight, Joselu’s individual performance stood out.
Joselu’s International Contribution
Joselu’s remarkable skills also earned him a place in Spain’s squad for the UEFA Nations League final four. In the semifinal against Italy, he made a significant impact by scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 victory. This crucial goal came just minutes after he entered the match as an 84th-minute substitute.
With the recent departures of Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz, Real Madrid has been actively seeking to bolster their striking options. The addition of Joselu provides much-needed depth to the squad, as Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo are currently the only senior forwards in the team.
Jose Luis’s Football Journey
Joselu, whose full name is Jose Luis Mato Sanmartin, initially joined Real Madrid from Celta Vigo in 2009. During the 2011-12 season, he enjoyed a prolific spell, scoring an impressive 26 goals for Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team.
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Following a brief appearance and goal for the first team, he embarked on successful stints at Hoffenheim in Germany, as well as clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt, Hannover 96, Stoke City, Deportivo La Coruna, Newcastle United, and Alaves.
It was during his time at Alaves that Joselu rediscovered his goal-scoring form, netting 36 La Liga goals over three seasons between 2019 and 2022. Subsequently, his move to Espanyol in July of the previous year proved to be a turning point in his career.
This exceptional form led to his first call-up to the Spanish national team at the age of 32 in March, where he made an immediate impact by scoring two goals in just three minutes during a 3-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Norway.
