Mario Hermoso: The Highly Coveted Defender Available on a Free

It has been five years since Mario Hermoso departed Espanyol and returned to the Spanish capital, joining Atlético Madrid. Since then, he's played a leading role in Atleti's 2020/21 La Liga title, served as a versatile performer at center back and left back, and registered 10 goals and 6 assists in 168 appearances for the Rojiblancos. Today, however, he finds himself at a crossroads in his career.

Born and raised in the Spanish capital, Hermoso joined Real Madrid’s academy at the age of 10 following a three-year spell at local side EF Concepción. He worked his way up the youth ranks before joining Real Valladolid on a season-long loan, where he would make 31 appearances in Spain’s second tier, the vast majority coming at left back.

At 20 years old, Pablo Barrios has made the step up from Atlético Madrid's academy and solidified himself as a vital figure in Diego Simeone's first team this season.@fc_mossman on why Barrios could be the latest in a long line of Atleti midfield gems:https://t.co/6YVF8j4yTppic.twitter.com/eSYes5STvB— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) April 16, 2024

Upon returning from his loan, he shared a dressing room with the likes of Federico Valverde, Achraf Hakimi and Martin Ødegaard as Real Madrid Castilla finished 11th in the Segunda División B. Hermoso was a bright spot for Castilla in the heart of Santiago Solari’s defense, and after 12 years in Madrid’s academy, he joined Espanyol on a three-year contract.