Mariano to succeed Ronaldo and become Real Madrid's No.7

The striker has returned to Santiago Bernabeu from French club Lyon, and will wear the shirt that previously adorned the Portuguese superstar

Mariano Diaz is set to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo and take the No.7 shirt at , Goal can reveal.

Real have agreed a €30 million (£27m/$35m) deal to sign the striker , who left the club just 12 months ago for for €8m.

Mariano has signed a five-year contract at Santiago Bernabeu, becoming their first attacking signing since Ronaldo departed for earlier this summer.

And he will immediately step into the Portuguese's sizeable shoes, having requested the No.7 shirt.

Several players within Real's squad had previously declined the opportunity to wear the number, with Ronaldo having enjoyed an incredible spell in the Spanish capital.

The 33-year-old scored 450 goals in 438 games, and won a plethora of trophies. Ronaldo won two titles, two Copa del Reys, and four trophies, as well as two UEFA Super Cups, three FIFA Club World Cups and two Supercopa de Espanas.

Mariano, meanwhile, has enjoyed a sterling start to his career, scoring 21 goals in 48 games at Lyon, while he was also part of the Real squad that won La Liga and the Champions League in 2016-17.

The 25-year-old had appeared set to join Sevilla this summer, having agreed terms on the move, with Real hijacking the deal at the last minute.

But he will now be presented by the Champions League holders on Friday, where his new squad number will be confirmed.