Real Madrid beat Barcelona to signing of 11-year-old American wonderkid



Real Madrid have beaten off competition from rivals Barcelona to land 11-year-old American Joshua Pynadath.

The youngster spent time on trial at both clubs but opted for a move to the Spanish capital after being offered the chance to join Madrid's famed youth setup.



They have secured the talented attacker on a minimum one-year deal to join their academy this autumn.

Snapped up: Talented youngster Joshua Pynadath has been signed by Real Madrid

Pynadath becomes the first American to join Madrid's youth system, which has produced the likes of Los Blancos legends Iker Casillas, Raul and Guti.

Madrid were initially alerted to the player's potential by Jeff Baicher, the technical director of Pynadath's current team, De Anza Force Soccer Club.



Baicher sent Real officials a video highlighting the youngster's dribbling, passing and shooting skills a year ago and it was enough to convince the club to invite him for a week of training in late November.

The attacker, from Los Altos Hills in California, did enough to earn an extended trial earlier this year and also attracted interest from another Spanish giant, Barcelona.

He spent 17 days at Barca's famed La Masia academy but was then offered a chance to join Madrid's Alevin A Team.

Joshua told the Los Altos Town Crier: 'Both trials were very serious, as kids are fighting to either keep a spot or to earn a spot.

'It was a very good feeling to be able to play well against this top competition since the level and speed of play over there is amazing.

Pynadath trained at the same facility as Lionel Messi while on trial at Barcelona

'I was blown away when I got the official news from Real Madrid.

'They told me that I was the first American that they have ever accepted into their academy. I told them that I would set a good example.'

On his time spent with Madrid's rivals, the Cristiano Ronaldo fan added: 'I enjoyed my time at Barcelona.

'I was happy to hear the coaches tell me that I was a very good player and that I improved every day of the trial.'

But Joshua, who has just completed fifth grade at St. Nicholas School, was certain which club he wanted to join.

Hero: Joshua will join Cristiano Ronaldo at Madrid

He said: 'The Real Madrid academy team and coaches seemed very excited to have me back. It was like I had never left.

'I can’t wait to get started over there. They already have an amazing team that went 25-1 in their league, so I know that playing with them every day is going to make me that much better.'