Bernardo Silva said he "didn't think twice" about joining Real Madrid after his trophy-laden spell with Manchester City came to an end last season. 

Silva put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Madrid in June after spending nine years in England, where he was a key part of Pep Guardiola's side.

The 31-year-old made 460 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions, netting 76 goals and winning 19 trophies, including six Premier League titles. 

Only David Silva (309) made more top-flight appearances for City than Silva's 304, with that tally the most by any Portuguese player in the competition's history. 

But now he is preparing for life in the Spanish capital, with Silva one of five new arrivals at Madrid, with Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espi also joining the club, while deals for Yan Diomande and Rodri are reportedly in the pipeline. 

Silva has played against Madrid 13 times across his career, all of which have come in the Champions League for City, winning five of those matches (D6 L2). 

He also scored four times against them, only managing more against Watford and Newcastle United (both five) throughout his professional career, but he is now relishing the chance of turning out for the LaLiga giants this season. 

"Having played against Real Madrid many times, you feel the importance of the club, and you feel how great it is to be here," Silva told Real Madrid TV on Monday.

"When Real Madrid came calling, it was impossible not to say yes. I didn't think twice. Being close to my family, very near Portugal, in a very similar culture, helps.

"But the dream of playing for the best club in the history of football – because their trophies prove it – is a privilege."

@BernardoCSilva pic.twitter.com/T4LV997XcS

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 3, 2026

Silva will now, of course, be under the guidance of compatriot Jose Mourinho, who returned to Madrid earlier this summer.

Mourinho took charge of Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning the LaLiga title, along with the 2010-11 Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana in 2012. 

Since returning to the club, Mourinho has overseen just one pre-season friendly, with Madrid drawing 2-2 with Serie A side Fiorentina at Sportpark Klagenfurt. 

"We've been opponents a few times, and now we're on the same side," Silva added on the opportunity to work with Mourinho. 

"I'm very happy, because he's a coach who means a lot to Portuguese football.

"Since I was little, we've watched his teams a lot, and he's always put Portugal's name at the highest level. I'm very happy to be able to start and learn from him."