Erik ten Hag lands a Real Madrid legend with secret medical already passed ahead of Bayer Leverkusen switch

Sky Sport and AS report that Real Madrid legend Vazquez is closing in on a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard will arrive at the BayArena as a free agent, having left Madrid upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Vazquez bid farewell to his boyhood club after spending 18 years, becoming a part of Los Blancos' folklore due to his impactful performances in some of the most crucial games, especially during the Champions League threepeat under Zinedine Zidane. Following his departure, speculation suggested that he could return to La Liga side Espanyol, where he spent the 2014-15 season on loan before being promoted to Madrid's first team. The full-back was also quiet when asked whether he was open to joining the Saudi Pro League. Reports even suggested that Jose Mourinho wanted to sign him for Fenerbahce, while there were murmurs of a move to Juventus.

A part of Madrid's youth setup since 2007, Vazquez got his first taste of first-team action in the 2015-16 season. The 34-year-old, while not always one of the first names on the team sheet during his decade-long tenure, was a loyal servant to the Merengues, playing 402 games. Vazquez won 23 titles in Madrid, including five Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles.

As per Fabrizio Romano, Vazquez quietly completed a medical ahead of the switch to Die Werkself. He is supposed to fly to Germany on Tuesday to put pen to paper, with a two-year contract set to be signed. The right-back could make his debut on August 30 against Werder Bremen.