Hakimi signs for Inter

Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi has signed with InterMilan from Real Madrid on a five year deal for €40m plus add-on bonuses.  

The 21 year old spent the past two seasons on-loan in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and was in consideration for a return back to parent club Madrid but it was understood that the right back did not want to be Dani Carvajal’s backup at the Bernabeu.

Hakimi, who made his first-team debut for Madrid under Zinedine Zidane in October 2017, came up through the Madrid youth team. Madrid had this to say about the exit of their youth product. 

“Real Madrid C. F. and Inter Milan have reached an agreement over the transfer of Achraf Hakimi. The club wishes to thank Achraf for his many years of dedication, professionalism and exemplary conduct since he joined our academy in 2006 and wishes him all the very best in this new chapter”

A condition of the sale to Inter from Madrid gives Madrid first refusal over the next three-five years on any potential sale of Hakimi to another team.  

With Inter manager Antonio Conte preferring his squad to play in a 3-5-2 formation, the layout is set for the Madrid born Hakimi to excel as a right wing-back with less defensive responsibilities.  During his loan spell in Germany, Hakimi tallied 12 goals in 73 appearances including 9 goals and 10 assists in the recently concluded 2019-20 season. Another leap forward will be expected of Hakimi as the stage is set for him to show Madrid what they will be missing while also helping Inter lay hands on the Scudetto for the first time since 2010. 

Hakimi published a farewell letter to Dortmund fans on Tuesday in which he said “The time has come to close a very beautiful stage in my life,” he wrote. “After two wonderful years, I’m ready to leave this club that has given me so much joy.

“From the first moment, the care and attention by the club and the city has been amazing. Now I know that I was right to choose Dortmund as my home two years ago.”

Inter currently sit in third place in Serie A, eight points off leaders Juventus.