Real Madrid forward Endrick joins Lyon on loan until June, seeking regular minutes as the Ligue 1 side push for Europe and Madrid plan his development.
Real Madrid forward Endrick has agreed to join Lyon on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old will spend the second half of the campaign in Ligue 1. The move is designed to give him regular first team football. Both clubs confirmed the agreement on Tuesday.
The deal runs until June and does not include any option to buy. Lyon will pay a loan fee of up to one million euros. The French club will also cover around half of the player’s wages. Endrick remains under contract at Madrid until 2030.
Endrick’s opportunities have been restricted since Xabi Alonso took charge at the Bernabeu. He has made only three appearances in all competitions this season. Those outings total just 99 minutes on the pitch. Competition from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo has been intense.
Last season was more productive in terms of involvement. Endrick featured 37 times across all competitions in 2024-25. Only eight of those appearances were starts, with 847 minutes played. He scored seven goals and provided a single assist during that campaign.
Lyon see Endrick as a key addition for the second half of the season. Paulo Fonseca wants the striker to lead the line following summer departures. Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze both left the club. A guaranteed minutes clause was included to support his development.
The Brazilian is expected to wear the number nine shirt. He joins a squad currently fifth in Ligue 1. Lyon have won eight of their first 16 league matches. They sit five points behind Lille in the race for fourth place.
Lyon are ten points behind league leaders Lens after 16 games. Goals have been a concern during the early months of the season, they’ve scored 22 league goals so far, the fewest of any team in the top nine position in Ligue 1 standings. Endrick’s arrival is intended to add pace and direct threat. The club also remains involved in European competition.
Fonseca’s side top the Europa League league phase standings after six matches. They collected 15 points from a possible 18. That exposure was a key factor in Endrick’s decision. Other clubs showed interest, but Lyon’s project appealed most.
Endrick has scored three goals in 14 appearances for Brazil. His last international cap came in March. That was a 4-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Argentina. He is aiming to return to the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Regular football is viewed as essential to that ambition. The World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. A strong loan spell could place him back in contention. Brazil staff will monitor his progress closely.
Endrick will officially register on January 1st. French regulations mean he cannot play immediately. He is not expected to feature in Lyon’s trip to Monaco on January 3rd. His debut is likely to come later in the month with league games against Lille on January 11th and Brest on January 18th.
Real Madrid view the loan as a development step rather than a setback. Lyon are betting on immediate impact during a crucial run of fixtures. Both sides believe the move serves their long-term plans.
