Real Madrid are closing in on signing JJ Gabriel, the 16-year-old Manchester United forward with a Greek Cypriot mother, in a move that may depend on him obtaining an EU passport, such as a Cypriot one.
Madrid intend to use a FIFA exception that lets clubs in the European Union tie young players to professional contracts if they hold an EU passport, which Gabriel is eligible to acquire through both his parents. Philenews reported on 6 October that he was preparing to obtain a Cypriot passport so he could sign for any club as a free agent from 1 January 2027.
FIFA bars international transfers of players under 18, but those aged 16 to 18 can move within the EU and the European Economic Area if the new club meets conditions on education, supervised accommodation and training. British clubs have fallen outside the exception since Brexit. FIFA would have to approve Gabriel’s move.
Madrid have offered him a multi-year contract and, subject to final talks, hope to bring him to the club in January. Gabriel is registered with United’s academy until the end of the season, and United have not been contacted by Madrid or the player’s representatives about the move, according to the Guardian.
United will consider legal action if they believe any rules have been broken, and are watching for any breach of the regulations. They would be owed a compensation fee if Gabriel joined Madrid or any other club.
Cypriot roots
Gabriel is eligible to play for Cyprus through his mother, and his widely reported full name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel. He could also represent the Republic of Ireland through his paternal grandmother and Trinidad and Tobago through his paternal grandfather. His father, former defender Joe O’Cearuill, won two caps for Ireland in 2007.
He has played for England at under-15, under-16 and under-17 level, but youth caps do not prevent him from switching to Cyprus later under FIFA rules.
At United
Gabriel walked out on United in September and is believed to be training in Spain. A move to Madrid would offer a route to senior football through their B team, Castilla, who play in the regionalised Spanish third tier.
He made his United debut aged 15 in a 2-1 pre-season win over Atlético Madrid in Stockholm on 1 August, and had been training with the first team. Had he not told United he wanted to leave, he would have been in Michael Carrick’s squad for the 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton on 16 September. Playing would have made him the youngest player in the club’s history.
Last season, Gabriel became the youngest winner of United’s academy player of the year award and was named the Premier League’s under-18 player of the season, after scoring 20 goals in 21 league appearances.
(With information from The Guardian)
