الريال

Olympique Lyonnais has officially signed Brazilian forward Endrick Felipe from Real Madrid on a loan deal until the end of the current season, the French club announced Tuesday.

The move comes as Endrick sought increased playing time, aiming to secure his position in the Brazil national team for the 2026 World Cup. Lyon, participating in European competitions and competing in Ligue 1, was identified as a suitable environment for the young player to develop, according to reports.

Real Madrid reportedly welcomed the loan transfer, recognizing that opportunities for Endrick would be limited given the presence of established stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Spanish media indicated the club preferred Endrick gain regular match experience rather than remain on the bench.

The loan agreement does not include an option for Lyon to purchase Endrick outright. However, a financial clause exists that reduces the loan fee based on the frequency of Endrick’s starting appearances. This structure ensures Real Madrid retains control over the player’s future and benefits from his continued development. According to Sport360, Real Madrid is confident Endrick will return to the club in peak condition for the following season.

Prior to the transfer, Endrick struggled for consistent playing time with Real Madrid. However, since joining Lyon, he has demonstrated promising form, scoring five goals and providing one assist in six matches, significantly increasing his market value and attracting interest from English Premier League clubs, as reported by Al-Masry Al-Youm and Bawabat Al-Ahram.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had previously favored another young player, Gonzalo García, over Endrick, further contributing to the decision to seek a loan opportunity.