‘It was a special moment’ – Fabinho opens up on Real Madrid transfer

‘It was a special moment’ – Fabinho opens up on Real Madrid transfer

Liverpool FC star Fabinho had a season on loan at Santiago Bernabau (Real Madrid) under the management of Jose Mourinho

Fabinho has opened up on when he found out he would be signing for Real Madrid – and his unusual first meeting with the renowned Jose Mourinho.

The Brazilian begun his career in Brazil before moving to Portugal with Rio Ave in 2012 before joining the reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla.

Fabinho made 30 appearances for Real’s reserves in a season on loan in the Spanish capital, but did play once for the first-team as a substitute against Malaga in La Liga, where he earned an assist.

After 3 years, he signed for Liverpool, and the Brazilian has recalled the moment he found out Real Madrid wanted to sign him.

Fabinho celebrates after scoring against Brentford(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

He initially started his career as a right-back, before moving into defensive midfield, and he has opened up on Real’s need at the time for a player of his skillset.

“We arrived in Portugal, but I stayed around at Rio Ave for just two weeks, maybe three at the most,” Fabinho told the latest edition of FourFourTwo.

“I had a barbecue with other Brazilians and then my agent called to say that Real Madrid Castilla [Real Madrid reserve team] needed a right-back and wanted to know if I was interested.

“Then one night, Lucio [Araujo, brother of former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Deco], came and told me to pack my things because Jorge Mendes was on his way by car in the early hours of the morning.

“I was like, ‘Is something wrong?’ Nobody said a word, but then at some point in the car, Mendes said we were travelling to Madrid and that I would sign for them.

“I called my mum in Brazil to tell her about that and she started to cry.

“No-one had expected something this huge to happen in such a short time. It was a very special moment for me.”

“We headed to the hotel in Madrid, and while I was still sleeping, I woke up to somebody knocking on the door,” said Fabinho.

“I looked through the peephole and couldn’t believe it. It was Mendes and [then Real Madrid manager] Jose Mourinho!

“I was still wearing my pyjamas, not at all prepared to meet him. I didn’t even know what to say.

“He wanted to welcome me. I was still a bit shy and never thought I would meet him like that!”

In other news, Diogo Jota reveals what he was told about Luis Diaz transfer to Liverpool Fc