Follow in Carvajal's footsteps, Achraf...

Follow in Carvajal's footsteps, Achraf...

Two days and two departures, the latter grabbing ever-so slightly fewer headlines than the first. Cristiano's dramatic departure from Madrid on Monday was followed by Achraf Hakimi's loan departure to the Bundesliga and Borussia Dortmund. Here's what it could mean for both the club and the player...

Álvaro Odriozola's arrival was always going to spell the departure of the Moroccan international with Dani Carvajal already cementing his first-team role at right-back and Nacho providing more than adequate back-up across the defence - not only with club, but with the Spanish national side as he proved in the World Cup.

But rather than a permanent move away from the Spanish capital, Achraf's departure was a somewhat surprising one with Bundesliga giants Dortmund taking the young right-back on a two-year loan deal.

On paper the move is a good one, with the defender likely to get more time on the pitch in a Dortmund side that is very much in transition, but a Dortmund side that plays huge matches in front of huge crowds.

It's also likely to take Achraf out of his comfort zone which can only be a good thing for his experience. He doesn't speak German and he'll be living in a completely different country and lifestyle.

The move screams of similarities with that of Dani Carvajal, who moved out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen and was included in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. After that, Madrid brought him back to the Bernabeu and the rest is history. While Achraf still has a lot to learn, the hope will be that he returns a much more rounded and experience player, much in the same way as Carvajal did.

Back to blog