Bryan Zaragoza: Who is the Spain sensation joining Bayern Munich?
Bryan Zaragoza has completed his transfer from Granada to Bayern Munich. bundesliga.com profiles the exciting Spain international winger...
Data correct as of 1 February 2024
Bryan Zaragoza
Age: 22 (born 9 September 2001)
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Winger
Country: Spain (one cap)
Key stats
Zaragoza was something of a late bloomer, not making his professional debut until the age of 20 and only appearing in the Spanish top flight for this first time this season. His first taste of the men's game came in the 2021/22 Segunda Federación - his homeland’s fourth tier – with Granada’s second team, where he scored seven goals in 33 league matches. His performances that term earned him 45 senior minutes in the Copa del Rey first-round 7-0 victory over Laguna, and the following campaign he was promoted to the main set-up permanently.
Granada spent 2022/23 in the second division, and Zaragoza was a major part of their promotion charge. The Nazaríes finished top of the table, winning 22 of their 42 matches, with their up-and-coming forward finding the back of the net five times in 34 outings while also providing one assist. The 2023/24 season has been a difficult one for the Andalusian outfit as they have sat in the bottom three for all but three matchdays thus far, but Bayern's new man has been their one shining light, bagging six strikes and two assists in 21 fixtures, including a brace in the eye-catching 2-2 draw with heavyweights Barcelona. He was even named La Liga’s U23 Player of the Month for October.
His displays have not gone unnoticed by Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the national team, either. The 22-year-old was called up for the 2024 UEFA European Championship qualifiers against Scotland and Norway, and ultimately played the entire second half in the 2-0 win over the former as he made his international bow. He has joined Bayern on a five-year deal through to summer 2029.
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Plays a bit like: Vinícius Júnior
Zaragoza has previously stated he enjoyed watching Neymar as a child, but now follows Vinícius, and it is easy to see the similarities he shares with the Real Madrid star. The Granada man has quick feet, pace to burn and an eye for goal, all qualities Vinícius has displayed since making the move to Europe from Flamengo in 2018. Of course, Zaragoza has a long way to go to match the Brazilian's achievements, but the Allianz Arena and Die Roten will offer him a platform to show the full extent of his ability.
Did you know?
Unlike the vast majority of his peers, Zaragoza didn’t play for a polished academy set-up throughout most of his youth career. Instead, he turned out for local sides Tiro Pichón and Cornejito Málaga before being spotted by Granada aged 18. He spent just 12 months with the youngsters before his rise began.
What they’re saying
"Bryan Zaragoza is an explosive, very quick and extremely nimble winger, who can play on either side. He’s unpredictable, can score and is very good one-v-one. He’s already made his senior debut for Spain this year and has a lot of potential. Bryan is one of Spain’s up-and-coming players and has been on our radar for a while." - Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund
“He is a star who will be big, who can go as far as he wants." - former Granada teammate Raúl Torrente
"We knew that Bryan is a bullet, he is a football player who is not easy to stop." - Barcelona head coach Xavi following his side's 2-2 draw with Granada
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