Real Madrid has officially announced the signing of Franco Mastantuono from River Plate, a move that sets a new record for the Argentine club in terms of transfer fees received. The 17-year-old attacking midfielder's release clause, valued at 45 million euros (£38.5 million), was triggered, solidifying his transfer to the Spanish giants.

Mastantuono has quickly made a name for himself, having regularly featured for River Plate's first team over the past two seasons. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to score in River Plate's fiercely contested derby against Boca Juniors, a testament to his burgeoning talent and composure at a young age.

His promising career reached another significant milestone recently when he became Argentina's youngest debutant in a competitive fixture. This historic moment occurred last week when he was introduced as a late substitute in Argentina's 1-0 victory over Chile in a World Cup qualifying match, showcasing his national team potential.

The young prodigy's move to Real Madrid will see him sign a six-year deal, which is set to commence on August 14, the day he celebrates his 18th birthday. Mastantuono's acquisition marks Real Madrid's third signing of the summer transfer window, following the earlier arrivals of defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, as the club continues to strengthen its squad with both established talent and promising youth.