Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane has made his first signing as the new boss of Madrid’s B team Castilla, in the form of Finnish striker Eero Markkanen.
Markkanen stands at a lofty 6’6” tall and was scouted by Zizou’s talent-spotters in Sweden, where the 23-year-old was playing for AIK Stockholm in the country’s capitol.
AIK play in the Swedish Allsvenskan league which is made up of 16 teams. Markkanen’s former side finished second last season behind FC Malmo and having only joined the side from Finland a few months ago, he proved his potential in just 12 appearances – during which he found the back of the net six times.
A contract to the value of £3.8m has been penned to seal the Scandinavian giant’s move to the Spanish capital and Markkanen is sure to be delighted to be mentored by such a heroic ex-player of the club.
Former midfielder Zidane, 42, was appointed coach of B-team Castilla this summer and brings with him a wealth of experience playing football in the world’s highest ranks.
He spent five years as a Real Madrid favourite last decade and five years at Serie A outfit Juventus prior to that.
Zidane made 108 appearances for the France national team, with whom he won a World Cup, and has an impressive long list of awards to his name both individually as a player and with the teams has has represented over the years.
The Frenchman retired from his playing career in 2006 and has since acquired coaching skills including a stint last season working alongside Carlo Ancelotti as assistant Madrid first team coach.
He has handled some of the biggest attacking stars in football today including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, and with the tall Finnish striker added to the ranks, Zidane is looking to produce the next intimidating attacker to feature in the first team.