13-year-old Ukrainian footballer Samuel Osipovych has officially signed a deal with Real Madrid and will continue his development at the academy of one of the world's biggest football clubs. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing the youth football club "Progress Sofiivskyi" from Kyiv Oblast, which nurtured the young talent. Osipovych will now play for Real Madrid's U-14 team, marking the pinnacle of his rapid career path that began just a few years ago at a small Kyiv club.
The beginning of the journey: from Progress Sofiivskyi to international recognition
Samuel Osipovych's football biography began at the youth club Progress Sofiivskyi, located in Kyiv Oblast. His first major international achievement was his participation in the Leo Cup tournament in October 2023, where the young Ukrainian helped his team win the bronze medals, while he himself was named the tournament's best player. It was this tournament that became the starting point for his move to Spain, where Osipovych continued his professional development.
Goal-scoring surge at Nuevo Boadilla and an invitation from Leganés
After moving to Spain, Samuel played for the youth team of Nuevo Boadilla, where he showcased outstanding goal-scoring qualities: 27 goals in 23 matches and the title of top scorer in his group. These numbers did not go unnoticed — in the summer of 2025, Osipovych joined the Leganés academy, where he continued to hone his skills under the guidance of experienced coaches. It was during this period that Real Madrid's scouts took notice of the Ukrainian talent and invited him into their development system.
Signing the contract and the reaction of his home club
At the contract signing ceremony, the 13-year-old Osipovych was photographed at a table in a conference room with the Real Madrid logo displayed on the screen behind him. Dressed in a black T-shirt with the Off-White logo, the young footballer held a blue pen in his hand and was about to sign the document. For the youth club Progress Sofiivskyi, this transfer became a source of special pride: "For us, this is not just a contract signing. It is a great source of pride for our player and a confirmation that proper development, an individual approach, and a love for football open up great opportunities," the club from Kyiv Oblast noted.
Context: Ukrainian football and international prospects
Osipovych's move to Real Madrid's academy comes against the backdrop of the active development of youth football in Ukraine. Earlier, the Ukraine youth national team named its squad for the decisive qualifying matches for Euro 2027, which underscores the high level of preparation of young players in the country. Samuel's story is a vivid example of how the systematic work of youth clubs, combined with an individual approach, allows its players to compete at the international level and receive invitations from leading European academies.
