<
>

Real Madrid's Mariano Diaz takes Cristiano Ronaldo's No. 7 shirt

Real Madrid have given Mariano Diaz the No. 7 shirt famously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The shirt became available when Ronaldo moved to Juventus in a €100 million deal earlier this summer, and the club wasted no time in giving it to Mariano, who returned to Madrid this week from French club Lyon.

"Today is a very special day to return to my home. Thanks to everyone for giving me the chance to return to wear this jersey," Mariano said at his unveiling on Friday.

"Thanks to my family, my agents, and all of the people who have supported me. I will give all my heart and my determination to help this team. Many thanks and Hala Madrid!"

Madrid activated an option to swoop in and bring the 25-year-old forward, who scored 21 goals in 48 games, back to the Bernabeu.

His arrival means there was no place in the squad for striker Borja Mayoral, who joined Levante on season-long loan deal shortly before the transfer deadline.

Last season, Mayoral, 21, scored seven goals in 24 total appearances for Madrid. He also started the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Madrid also announced the termination of defender Fabio Coentrao's contract on Friday, paving his way to join Portuguese club Rio Ave on a free transfer.

Coentrao made 106 appearances for Madrid since joining from Benfica in 2011, though he spent most of the last two seasons on loan with Monaco and then Sporting Lisbon.

Madrid president Florentino Perez said he was delighted with the club's summer transfer business.

"The best keeper in the world arrived [Thibaut Courtois]," he said. "A World Cup defender in [Alvaro] Odriozola, a goalkeeper for the future, one of the emerging stars of the future from Brazil in Vinicius.

"Valverde and Reguilon have come up to the first team and today Mariano returned to us, who arrives with goals in his DNA."