Dzej Dzej Gabriel arrives in Madrid: "My dream is to win the Ballon d'Or"
The 16‑year‑old forward trains in Madrid as talks advance to place him with Real Madrid Castilla; official registration likely in January 2027.
Sixteen-year-old Dzej Dzej Gabriel has arrived in Madrid as preparations advance for a likely move from Manchester United's academy to Real Madrid.
Gabriel, regarded as one of England's brightest young forwards, has been training individually in the Spanish capital: morning sessions on the pitch with a personal coach and afternoon work in the gym. He is accompanied by his father, Džo O'Kerojl, who previously played football and is involved in his development.
Transfer plan and timing
Agent Ali Barat is finalising terms with Real Madrid, which intends to register the striker with its reserve side, Castilla. The club has used Castilla in the past to promote talents into the first team — names cited in Madrid's development pathway include Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde.
Because of administrative and regulatory constraints the move is not expected to be formalised until January 2027. Gabriel remains formally registered as a Manchester United player but has stepped away from daily activities at the academy in Carrington while the paperwork is processed.
Speaking about his ambitions while in Madrid on 07.11.2026, Gabriel said: "My dream is to win the Ballon d'Or". When asked to choose between Spain's two giants, his answer was brief and emphatic: "Obviously, Madrid!"
Photo: press material from the event
