Real Madrid announced this morning that they have reached an agreement with the Spanish international striker. Usman Garuba by which he is linked to the white club for the next three campaignsuntil June 30, 2027.
Garuba, born in Madrid on March 9, 2002, returns to the Madrid discipline to face his second stage after the three seasons who was in the NBAtwo in the Rockets de Houston and the last of the Golden State Warriors.
The player raised in Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara) joined the Real Madrid training center in 2013with which he won numerous titles, including Minicopas and the Coupe d’Europe juniors 2019, he made his debut precisely that year with the first team, with which he won a Ligueand King’s Cup et two Super Cups. On an individual level, he was chosen as the best young player of the league tournament and the Euroleague 2020/21.
He was selected in July 2021 in the 23rd position of the first round of the NBA draft by the Houston Rockets, who made his signing official in August after reaching an agreement with Real Madrid for the payment of his clause.
He made his debut in October against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but between injuries and tactical issues he played little role, and in September 2023 he signed for the Golden State Warriors and their G League (Development League) affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.
He made his debut with the Spanish senior team on 3 July 2021 in a match against Iran. He has been an international 42 times and won gold at the 2022 European Championship. He was part of the national team that competed at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.
The player assured that he would return “more mature in every way”. “My goal is to work for the team, to fight and sacrifice myself for it. I am a versatile player“I’m able to do a lot of things on the pitch and that’s where I can help the team,” said Garuba, who admitted it gave him “an incredible feeling” to return to what had been his home since he was 10 or 11 years old.
“Being able to come back here is a dream for me. I am very happy and I am looking forward to it. For me, Real Madrid has been everything, from the first moment. Here I have been trained in every way, both academically and as a player. “Everything I am today, I have to thank this club for,” he said.
Garuba added that “you want to be where you are valued and loved” and that while he is excited about “everyday life,” what attracts him most is “win a Euroleague with Madrid“, and appreciated being close again to “all the people who make up this team, not only the players but all the staff and those who are behind it, who are great people”.