Official: new signing registered with La Liga

Official: New Real Madrid Signing Registered with La Liga

Madrid, Spain – July 28, 2025 – Real Madrid have officially registered their latest summer acquisition, Alvaro Carreras, with La Liga, marking another significant step in their preparations for the upcoming 2025/26 season. The confirmation comes as a welcome development for the club and its new manager, Xabi Alonso, ensuring the young left-back is immediately available for competitive action. This registration follows the earlier successful formalizations of other key summer signings, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, demonstrating Real Madrid's proactive and efficient approach to the transfer window, a stark contrast to some of the registration struggles faced by other Spanish clubs.

Carreras, a former Real Madrid academy product, returns to the Bernabéu after a successful stint with SL Benfica. The €50 million transfer brings a promising talent back to his roots, with the 22-year-old signing a six-year contract that ties him to the Merengues until the summer of 2031. His re-arrival is set to intensify competition for the left-back position, a critical area for any top-tier team. The fact that his name now appears on La Liga's official transfers page and Real Madrid's squad list on the league's website underscores the completion of all necessary paperwork and compliance with league regulations.

The Intricacies of La Liga Registration

Player registration in La Liga is a multi-faceted process governed by strict rules, primarily centered around financial fair play (FFP) and squad limits. Unlike some other European leagues, La Liga has notoriously stringent FFP regulations designed to ensure the financial stability of its clubs. These rules dictate the maximum amount a club can spend on player salaries and transfers, calculated based on their revenue and expenditures. Clubs must adhere to these limits to register new players or renew existing contracts.

For Real Madrid, a club with robust financial health and a history of prudent management, these FFP hurdles have historically been less problematic compared to rivals like FC Barcelona, who have frequently found themselves in precarious positions regarding player registrations. The successful registration of Carreras, Alexander-Arnold, and Huijsen early in the transfer window highlights Real Madrid's strong financial standing and their ability to navigate these regulations seamlessly.

Beyond financial constraints, La Liga also imposes squad size limits and specific rules regarding non-EU players. Each club is typically allowed to register a maximum of 25 players in their first-team squad. Furthermore, a crucial regulation dictates that teams can only have three non-EU players registered in their senior squad. This rule often leads to clubs actively pursuing dual nationality for their foreign players, especially those from South America, to free up valuable non-EU slots. For instance, players who have resided in Spain for a certain number of years can apply for Spanish citizenship, effectively removing their non-EU status. This strategic approach allows clubs to maximize their recruitment options from a global talent pool.

The registration process usually involves submitting comprehensive documentation to La Liga, including the player's contract, transfer agreements, and proof of medical examinations. The league scrutinizes these documents to ensure compliance with all sporting, legal, and financial requirements. Once approved, the player is formally added to the club's squad list and becomes eligible to participate in league matches.

Impact on Real Madrid's Squad and Season Ahead

The successful registration of Alvaro Carreras is more than just a procedural formality; it carries significant implications for Real Madrid's strategic planning and their aspirations for the 2025/26 season. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, who recently took the reins after a highly successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, the club is aiming for a strong resurgence after a somewhat disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw them finish second to Barcelona in La Liga and falter in other competitions.

Carreras' arrival addresses a key area of the squad. As a promising left-back, he offers a long-term solution and vital competition for the starting berth. His integration into the team will provide Alonso with more tactical flexibility and defensive solidity. With the additions of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a renowned attacking right-back from Liverpool, and Dean Huijsen, a talented young center-back, Real Madrid have significantly bolstered their defensive line. These defensive reinforcements are crucial for a team looking to reclaim domestic and European supremacy.

The smooth registration process also provides a clear pathway for Franco Mastantuono, another highly anticipated signing set to join the club next month. While Mastantuono's arrival is still pending his 18th birthday on August 14th due to FIFA regulations concerning minor players, Real Madrid's efficiency with their current registrations suggests they anticipate no issues with his formalization once he is eligible. This proactive approach minimizes any potential disruptions and allows Alonso to focus on integrating his new players into his tactical system during the pre-season.

However, the influx of new talent does present some challenges, particularly concerning squad depth and potential departures. As noted by some reports, Real Madrid's squad is currently quite full, meaning that before further additions can be made, the club may need to offload some existing players. High-profile names like Rodrygo and David Alaba have been mentioned as potential departures, highlighting the tough decisions facing Alonso and the club's management as they fine-tune the squad. The financial implications of player sales are also vital, as they directly impact the club's FFP calculations and their ability to register new players.

In conclusion, the official registration of Alvaro Carreras with La Liga is a positive signal for Real Madrid. It signifies the club's sound financial management, their adherence to league regulations, and their commitment to building a competitive squad for the upcoming season. As Xabi Alonso begins to shape his team, having his new signings fully registered and available from the outset will be instrumental in laying the groundwork for a successful campaign and challenging for top honors. The efficiency of these registrations sets a promising tone for Real Madrid's summer and their ambitions for the future.