Maite Oroz joins Tottenham Hotspur, bids farewell to Real Madrid

Maite Oroz has left Real Madrid, nine months before the end of her contract, to embark on her first international club-level venture by joining Tottenham Hotspur. The Navarrese midfielder departs as Real Madrid's most capped player and their eleventh highest goalscorer.

In a message shared on social media, Oroz expressed her gratitude and pride for her time at Real Madrid, saying: "Today I say goodbye to what has been my home for the past four years. I arrived when the Real Madrid project was in its infancy, and after four seasons, I can proudly say that it has been an honour to defend this badge and to become a centenarian with this shirt."

She further explained that she was ready to embrace new challenges and was confident that this move was the best step for her career, allowing her to continue enjoying football and her daily life. She concluded with a heartfelt thank you to the club’s supporters, bidding them farewell.

Oroz's departure had been widely speculated at the end of the previous season, with Athletic Club showing a keen interest in securing her services. However, after a summer without any concrete developments, it seemed she would remain at Madrid. Yet, the final days of the transfer window sped up the process, leading to Oroz's move to England.

The departure was partly driven by an overcrowded midfield at Real Madrid. The summer additions of Filippa Angeldahl and Melanie Leupolz, alongside established players like Tere Abelleira, Sandie Toletti, Caroline Møller, and Caroline Weir, meant Oroz's playing time would have been significantly reduced. At 26, and with considerable interest both domestically and internationally, Oroz sought more opportunities for game time, prompting her decision to leave the club.

Oroz has been with Real Madrid since its formation in 2020, having previously played for Osasuna and Athletic Club. Real Madrid paid €250,000 to Athletic Club for her as part of the Compensation List detailed in Article 20 of the Agreement, which remains a point of contention in its ongoing renegotiation.

During her four seasons with Real Madrid, Oroz made 146 appearances, more than any other player, including Misa Rodríguez and Olga Carmona, with whom she shared the captaincy this season.

She featured in 110 league matches, 10 Copa de la Reina fixtures, three Spanish Super Cup games, and 23 Champions League ties. Her 13 goals (12 in the league and one in the Champions League) made her the eleventh highest scorer in Real Madrid's history. Alongside Misa, Olga, and Tere Abelleira, Oroz was one of the few remaining players from Real Madrid’s inaugural women's team in 2020.

This summer’s transfer market has seen significant movement between Spain's Liga F and England's Women's Super League (WSL), with notable transfers including Mariona Caldentey (Barcelona to Arsenal), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona to Chelsea), Júlia Bartel (Barcelona to Chelsea), and others making the switch across these leagues.