Fabio Blanco: Who is the Spanish teenager who chose Eintracht Frankfurt over Real Madrid and Barcelona?

Fabio Blanco

Age: 17

Club: Eintracht Frankfurt (U19s)

Position: Right winger

Country: Spain (U16 cap)

Key stats

Labelled in his homeland as "the next superstar in Spanish football", Blanco has been motoring through the gears at youth level with Valencia in recent years. The 5'9" winger made the step up to the U18s in summer 2019, and spent the 2020/21 campaign with the U19s. He's also won six youth international caps with Spain, scoring one goal in three appearances for each of the U15s and 16s.

Blanco, who made the switch to Valencia's academy from his native Almeria aged 15, has signed on the dotted line at Frankfurt through to 30 June 2023 with an option to extend. The right-footer would be the sixth Spaniard to represent Frankfurt in the Bundesliga after Omar Mascarell, Joselu, David Montero, Lucas Torro and Jesus Vallejo, and has roughly until May 2022 to become the club's youngest non-German top-flight debutant. Croatian Vladimir Maljkovic is the record holder (18 years, two months and 20 days).

Plays a bit like: Ferran Torres

Blanco doesn't only have a Valencia academy diploma in common with Ferran Torres - he's also a very similar type of player. Much like the Manchester City wide man, the Frankfurt teen is most at home on the right-hand side of the attack, where he can use his pace and quick feet to make and take chances.

Did you know?

According to AS, Real Madrid had already held talks with Blanco, when the Eagles swooped to sign the up-and-coming technician. The Spanish publication also report that Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany - formerly of Valencia - was keeping tabs on the youngster.

What they're saying

"Fabio Blanco was tempted by a few top European sides, but had the good sense to decide to come to Frankfurt. His technical ability is outstanding. He'll have the chance to flourish here." - Ben Manga, Eintracht's director of professional football

"Fabio Blanco's move shows the growing reputation of Eintracht Frankfurt." - Axel Hellman, spokesperson for Eintracht Frankfurt Fussball AG

"I would like to continue my development in Frankfurt and take this opportunity to develop personally while far away from home. I'm really looking forward to my time in Germany at Eintracht Frankfurt." - Blanco