Tijjani Reijnders has confirmed Denzel Dumfries’ transfer from Inter Milan to Real Madrid.
The Dutch pair are presently preparing for the World Cup, which they will kick off by facing Japan in Texas on June 14.
Dumfries has been the subject of early transfer speculation this summer as Real moved quickly to sign him as a replacement for the outgoing Dani Carvajal.
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The move was reported by Fabrizio Romano to have been completed on Thursday, but, speaking to Dutch media the same day, the player kept shtum.
“I really can't say anything about it,” he told De Telegraaf. “My time at Inter fills me with pride.
“I'm going to the World Cup with the Netherlands to give it my all. I'm only focused on that. We'll see what happens with the rest later.”
But Manchester City’s Reijnders has now blown his team-mate’s secret wide open, confirming to the press corps that the move is complete.
Speaking from a mixed zone at the Dutch national team camp, he said: “Denzel Dumfries' transfer to Real Madrid? Yes, we all congratulated him, it's a big step for him and we're very happy for him.
“He's shown what he can do in the past two seasons, so signing with Real Madrid is justified.”
It is not yet clear when the move will be formally announced, but, with Real Madrid presidential elections ongoing, Florentino Perez may soon use the deal as a means of currying political favour with his voter base.
Dutch national team manager Ronald Koeman has also spilled the beans on Dumfries’ move, joking that he would have preferred to see him join Barcelona, where the Dutch coach spent time as both a player and a manager.
He confirmed Dumfries had been granted leave from the national camp to undergo his Real Madrid medical.
“I don't know if the transfer is completely finalised, but if anyone deserves it, it's him,” said Koeman.
“That said, I would have preferred to see him play for FC Barcelona.
“I gave him permission. He passed the medical tests near Zeist.”
The Netherlands were beaten 1-0 by Algeria on Wednesday evening in their penultimate pre-World Cup warm-up friendly. They will face Uzbekistan in final friendly this week before entering a tricky group-stage, where they will line up opposite Japan, Sweden and Tunisia.
