Real Madrid midfielder Lucas Silva has joined Ligue 1 side Marseille on loan for the season, it has been confirmed.
The Brazilian becomes the second Los Blancos player to head to France this week after Fabio Coentrao signed for Monaco on a season-long loan, while he is the third player to head for the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu after Asier Illarramendi rejoined Real Sociedad in a 16 million euro deal.
Silva only joined Los Blancos from Cruziero in January for 14 million euros. He arrived with a reputation as being one of the brightest talents to emerge from Brazil in recent years.
But the 20-year-old struggled to make an impact in the Spanish capital and found himself well down the pecking order behind the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The arrival of Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan meant his playing time with Los Blancos would be limited this season and the club felt it was best he rebuild his confidence and gain valuable playing time away this season.
The loan deal doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Silva’s career at the 10-time Champions League winners. Compatriot Casemiro went on loan to Porto last season and impressed so much that he is now part of the first team squad back in Spain.
