Real Madrid has announced a player transfer through a short statement published on its official website and shared via social media.

"Real Madrid C. F. and Real Valladolid have agreed on the loan of the player Mario Martin for this season, until June 30, 2025," the short correspondence read.

Valladolid had a little more to say about the 20-year-old, and told the story of how he started out at Sonseca in his hometown close to Toledo before playing for Odelot Tolteum and joining Real Madrid as an U12.

"At the white club he climbed the ladder, [and] was proclaimed champion of the Copa del Rey Juvenil," Valladolid added, while also noting that Martin made his first team debut in 2022/2023 and four appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's first team overall until switching to his temporary new club.

"In this way, the 20-year-old midfielder arrives at Zorrilla to strengthen Pucela's midfield and grow with the team," Valladolid concluded.

Amid his few outings for the seniors, Martin featured more prominently as the captain of the reserve Castilla team commanded by club legend Raul Gonzalez.

His strong performances gave club higher ups something to think about, but Valladolid's interest in helping Martin get more experience in the elite has been constant all summer.

Martin went on the preseason tour of the United States as other clubs enquired about him, and Florentino Perez was thinking about selling the pivot for around $11.2 million (€10 million) according to AS.

Such a sale would have seen Madrid retain 50% of Martin's rights, as is common when La Fabrica products are sold to other clubs.

This approach means that young prospects can be bought back easily if fulfilling their potential elsewhere, or that Madrid can further profit on them if a third party comes to purchase their academy products outright at a later date.

None of this will be necessary for Martin in the meantime, however.

He'll play the 2024/2025 season at Valladolid and hopefully earn minutes in La Liga, before returning to the Bernabeu just over 10 months from now ready to try and break into Ancelotti's plans permanently.