Real Madrid’s Jacobo Ortega Transferred to Strasbourg for €10 Million
On August 17, 2026, Real Madrid announced the transfer of 20-year-old center forward Jacobo Ortega to French club Strasbourg. The deal, reportedly valued at €10 million ($11.6 million), comes as Strasbourg seeks to replace Paraguay forward Julio Enciso, who recently moved to newly-promoted Ipswich.
Strasbourg, owned by Chelsea’s holding company BlueCo, is currently under UEFA financial scrutiny following a €13 million ($15 million) fine in June for overspending. The fine was the largest imposed by UEFA on any club during the previous season. Strasbourg has already begun to recover financially, utilizing the departures of key players, including Enciso, to boost their revenue. The club recouped over five times the transfer fee for Ortega by also dealing midfielder Abdoul Ouattara, who has joined Ipswich.
Ortega, a product of Real Madrid’s academy, never made an appearance for the senior team but gained acclaim after scoring in the UEFA Youth League final against Club Brugge last season. Madrid secured the title in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw. The young forward has signed a five-year contract with Strasbourg.
Strasbourg has also signed United States midfielder Giovanni Reyna from Borussia Mönchengladbach this month. The club’s successful offseason transfer dealings have reportedly resulted in a profit of approximately €80 million ($92 million), following UEFA’s recommendation to significantly decrease player costs in 2026.
Last season, Strasbourg reached the semifinals of the UEFA Conference League and finished eighth in Ligue 1 but did not qualify for any of UEFA’s European competitions.
Enciso, who started all five matches for Paraguay at the World Cup, including a notable goal against Germany, reunites with Ipswich coach Gary O’Neil, who previously coached him at Strasbourg.
Both Enciso and Ouattara have signed five-year contracts with Ipswich, reinforcing the club’s ambitions following their promotion to the Premier League.
Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn
