MADRID, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Spain international Sergio Canales is returning "home" to Real Racing Club 16 years after leaving his hometown club to join Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old was confirmed as Racing's first signing for the 2026-2027 season on Monday on a two-year contract, after the club from northern Spain won promotion back to La Liga as Spanish Second Division champion.
Canales began his career in Racing's youth system and made 32 La Liga appearances, scoring six goals, before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2010.
He never convinced then-Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, making just 10 La Liga appearances before joining Valencia and then spending four seasons with Real Sociedad and five with Betis, while also making 11 appearances for Spain between 2019 and 2023.
Canales left Betis in 2023 to sign for Mexican club Monterrey and now returns to Spain after three years with Rayados to help Racing retain its place in the elite.
"In sporting terms, he will give us a leap in quality and socially we have seen a legend come back," Racing president Manolo Higuera told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. ■
