Top 10 Worst Real Madrid Signings in History

Worst Real Madrid signings – All Time Top 10

Los Blancos haven’t always signed world class stars, with some signings having, in fact, proved to be major flops. Here we look at the Top 10 Worst Real Madrid signings ever!

Every football fan knows of at least one player that their club has signed who has gone on to prove to be a horrendous signing. Whether it be a hefty price tag, poor in front of goal, left on the bench or suffering with recurring injuries. These are the worst Real Madrid signings ever!

But while Real Madrid continue to make Galactico signings, even they can now and again make some appalling signings. And here we will take a look at the Top Ten worst Real Madrid signings ever!

Here at Silly Season, we have compiled 10 of the worst signings Los Blancos signings… ever.

Top 10 worst Real Madrid signings ever!

10) Emerson – 2006

Having enjoyed a fine career at both AS Roma and Juventus, Fabio Capello decided to take the Brazilian with him to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2006, for £16 million, but endured a poor start to life wearing the famous all-white strip.

Despite helping Real Madrid win La Liga, he was rarely present in the big games and, along with Capello, left after one season in the Spanish capital, joining AC Milan at the end of the season for £5 million.

9) Walter Samuel – 2004

The Argentina international, as a whole, had a fine career – which was at its peak with at Inter Milan. But it is quickly forgotten that the defender endured a tough time at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he joined from AS Roma for £23 million in 2004.

Regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, he soon returned to Serie A – this time with Inter, where he went on to spend nine years – in a £14 million move.

8) Nicolas Anelka – 1999

The France international proved to be arguably Arsene Wenger’s best bit of business. Having bought the forward for £500,000 from Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman was sold a year later to Real for £23 million – buying none other than Thierry Henry as his replacement.

After initial success, he fell out of favour with the fans, players and coach Vicente del Bosque. But luckily for Los Blancos, PSG were prepared to pay all £23 million Real spent on bringing him in from north London in the first place.

7) Thomas Gravesen – 2005

Having made a name for himself with Everton over a five-year period, Real Madrid decided to take a punt on the Denmark midfielder in 2005.

But Los Blancos instead decided to deploy him in a defensive midfield role which the Dane was clearly uncomfortable with, and was known for rash tackling and reckless behaviour. He was shipped back to Britain the following year, to Scottish giants Celtic.

6) Antonio Cassano – 2006

A technical player with great skill, Cassano decided to leave AS Roma, after five years, for the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu. But luckily for Real, they paid a fairly insignificant fee for the forward, who had six months remaining on his Roma contract.

But following a clash with Capello, the forward was subsequently benched and shipped out on loan to Sampdoria before joining the club on a permanent basis in 2008.

5) Javier Saviola – 2007

Having been considered by some as the ‘new Diego Maradona’, Barcelona snapped him up in 2000 and, after three years at the Camp Nou, his form tailed off and was shipped out on unsuccessful loan spells, before being released.

However, Real decided to take a punt on the forward – who was available on a free transfer – on a lucrative deal. But the risk didn’t pay off – scoring five goals in 28 appearances, across two years. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s arrival signalled the Argentine’s departure in 2009.

4) Royston Drenthe – 2007

During his time as a young player at Feyenoord, the Dutch winger was highly rated and with that said, Real Madrid couldn’t snap him up quick enough ahead of their biggest European rivals.

Los Blancos were so keen they paid £13 million for his services, but they never got their money’s worth.

His opportunities were limited and his confidence took a clear nosedive – particularly under Juande Ramos during 2009/10, when he was loaned out to Spanish minnows Hercules.

A deadline day loan move to Everton followed, after failing to find a permanent suitor for the one-time Holland international, and has subsequently played in the Russian second division and the Championship with Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.

Drenthe currently plays for UAE Pro League side Baniyas. Royston Drenthe is regarded as one of the worst Real Madrid signings ever.

3) Julien Faubert – 2009

Despite only being a loan signing, it was a bizarre move from Real Madrid, who took the one-time France international on loan from West Ham in 2009.

Never a player of Los Blancos’ level; it showed with each performance and the club never decided to pursue a permanent deal.

Julien Faubert was subsequently released by West Ham in 2012 and was playing for Scottish outfit Kilmarnock earlier this year.

2) Kaka – 2009

Brazil attacking midfielder Kaka joined Real Madrid in a then world-record £60 million transfer in 2009 – having won the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards in 2007, while at AC Milan.

And duly it was expected that the Brazilian would continue such form at the Bernabeu, however, Ronaldo’s arrival was ultimately his downfall, and never managed to reach such heights throughout his four-year spell, before returning to AC Milan.

In 120 appearances, Kaka managed 29 goals. Unexpectedly, Kaka is one of the worst Real Madrid signings ever.

1) Jonathan Woodgate – 2004

Number one on our list of worst Real Madrid signings ever is Jonathan Woodgate. There is little doubting the Middlesbrough-born defender was the worst signing in Real Madrid’s history. A quality defender for both Leeds and Newcastle, his move from St James’ Park in a £13,400,000 in 2004 was an, understandably, big move for the Englishman, who made just eight appearances for England.

Plagued by injury, Woodgate scored an own goal on his eventual debut and was later sent off. But after a brief glimpse of promise, further injury struck and was subsequently sent back to England, this time with hometown club Middlesbrough.

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