Earlier this week, Real Madrid officially announced that star goalkeeper Andriy Lunin signed a new six-year contract with the club until the summer of 2030.
The 25-year-old rising star’s previous deal was set to expire at the end of the ongoing season and there were speculations that he would be departing as a free agent when it did.
However, Lunin has penned a new long-term contract with Los Blancos, committing his future to the club until 2030.
Lunin happy to stay at the ‘best club in the world’
Speaking to the club’s official media channels after his renewal, Lunin expressed his delight at having signed the new contract, saying:
“I am very happy to be at the best club in the world for more years. From day one, the club has made me feel at home. I feel very comfortable, very well and this is the best place for my professional and personal development.”
Even though he has been at the club for more than five years now, Lunin enjoyed his proper breakthrough during the last season when he got an extended run in the team during Thibaut Courtois’ absence. Reflecting on that, he added:
“The 2023/24 season was the one in which I played the most games and won three titles. It was unforgettable, important and a reward for the work done. I’m enjoying the day-to-day.”
However, the goalkeeper admitted that there is still room for improvement, saying: “I always try to improve in every aspect, to continue in the same line, but there is a lot of work ahead of me.”
On the back of his exploits last season, Lunin has been nominated for the 2024 Yachine Trophy, something that he is proud of.
“It shows the work done by the team. Last year I showed that I can be Real Madrid’s goalkeeper and that I deserve to be here. I want to be here, to play and win titles here,” the Ukrainian international remarked.
“I’m very happy for the nomination and that’s thanks to the help of the team. Hopefully there will be more.”
On Florentino Perez and the Bernabeu
Lunin also had great words of praise for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, stating that he was like a father to the players at the club.
“For the players, he is like our father. He looks after us and always asks us how we are doing. Because of the situation in my country, he always asks me how my family is doing and if they need any help.
“This means a lot and speaks about what the person is like. He told me when I arrived and today he repeated that this is my home. These are very meaningful words for me.”
The 25-year-old also touched upon the experience of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu and the atmosphere the fans create at the stadium, saying:
“It’s very difficult to describe it. You have to step on the pitch, see it from the inside, feel it, experience the games and the great victories that we experienced in previous years. It is something incredible and fantastic.
“That’s why it was recently voted the best stadium in the world. The people create a spectacular atmosphere, the stadium is great and it is very beautiful. The technology it has, the screens, the history… It’s impressive and every game it gives you goosebumps.”
Finally, Lunin thanked all the fans for the support they have shown him at the club, stating: “I want to thank them for their encouragement, the support we are receiving and me personally. I feel at home from the first day and there is still a long way to go to win.”