Real Madrid launch first women’s team in 118-year history

Real Madrid, Spanish football giant, have launched the first professional women’s team of their 118-year history following the takeover of Madrid-based club Tacon.

According to a statement released by the club, the project became reality following the official takeover of CD Tacón, a Spanish female premier league outfit, on Wednesday.

“Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that it has sent the corresponding documentation to the Spanish Football Federation in order to make effective the merger by absorption of Club Deportivo Tacón, a women’s football club, as approved by the Extraordinary General Assembly of Committed Members held on 15 September 2019,” the Real Madrid statement read.

Los Blancos completed a 300,000 euros (£271,000) buyout of the club and subsequently renamed it Real Madrid Femenino.

While the merger is formally completed, Real Madrid Women FC will only start playing in the league from the 2020/2021 season.

“The Royal Spanish Football Federation has informed us that said documentation is correct, so the merger will be effective when the current 2019-20 football season is definitively concluded,” the statement added.

“Real Madrid will play the women’s football competitions from the 2020/21 season, with Real Madrid City as the venue for the team’s matches and training sessions.

“Aside the senior women’s side, other youth cadres will be set up in order to identify and develop future talents.

“Our women’s football section will be made up of the senior and under-16s to under-19s teams. A youth structure that will allow us to remain faithful to our philosophy of identifying, training and developing young talent. Our teams will also play their respective competitions from the 2020/21 season.

“Real Madrid are looking forward to this new challenge with a commitment to promoting women’s football and contributing to its development and growth in our society.”

Major clubs in Spain, including Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla and Real Sociedad all have a female team competing in the women’s Spanish league.

Real Madrid were before now one of the few major football clubs in Europe that didn’t have a women’s team in their 118 year history.