Young forward Musavi joins Levante to replace Real Madrid-bound Espi

MADRID, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- La Liga side Levante has moved quickly to replace striker Carlos Espi following his transfer to Real Madrid by signing young Belgian forward Yanis Musuayi.

The 19-year-old joins Levante after impressing for Club NXT, Club Brugge's B team, in Belgium's Challenger Pro League, scoring seven goals in 44 second-tier appearances.

He has signed a contract through June 2030 for a reported fee of around three million euros (3.5 million U.S. dollars).

Musuayi will compete with Cameroon international Etta Eyong for a place in the starting lineup under Portuguese coach Luis Castro.

Espi joined Real Madrid on Friday after the Spanish giant paid his release clause of 25 million euros. The 21-year-old scored 11 goals for Levante, most of them during the closing weeks of the 2025-26 La Liga season, to help the Valencia-based club avoid relegation. ■