Eder Militao tops most expensive Real Madrid defender list

The latest signing for Los Blancos is the highly-rated Brazilian defender, but how does he compare to other defensive signings over the years.

Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Eder Militao, the 21-year-old Brazilian central defender, who will cost them 50 million euros. Selling club Porto, who paid only 4 million euros to Sao Paulo for the player, have managed to transform him in just one season, getting Militao named as the best defender of the Portuguese league in September, October, November, December and January. For this reason, Los Blancos are willing to splash the cash, and in doing so early have managed to avoid the rise in the release clause which would have taken it to 75 million in June.

Most expensive defenders in the history of Madrid

This transfer has made Militao the most expensive defender in the history of Real Madrid, unseating Pepe from the top of the list. Interestingly, the top three were all picked up from the same portuguese club.

Sixth most expensive defender in world football

Militao, however, did not break the record for the most expensive transfer of a defender. That honour remains with the Liverpool centre half, Virgil van Dijk, when a massive 90 million euros were spent by the Premier League club.

In fact, it is English clubs that dominate this list with seven of the top ten defensive transfers coming in that league, Manchester City taking five of them.