05 September 2023 , 10:15
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Mason Greenwood has begun training with Getafe following his controversial deadline day move from Manchester United.
Greenwood penned a season-long loan deal with the Spanish side on transfer deadline day. He hasn't played professional football since his arrest in January 2022. Charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the forward were dropped seven months ago.
A statement from United announcing the move read: “Mason Greenwood has signed for La Liga side Getafe CF on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance. The move enables Greenwood to begin to rebuild his career away from Manchester United. The club will continue to offer its support to Mason and his family during this period of transition.”
Getafe faced calls over the weekend to axe Greenwood after announcing his arrival. Spain's leading domestic abuse charity on Saturday night called for him to be sent back to Britain, before he has even kicked a ball in La Liga.
Ana Bella Estévez, of the Ana Bella Foundation, said of Madrid based Getafe: “The club is setting a terrible example.”
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But club boss Jose Bordelas speaking out on the decision to bring Greenwood to the club, said: “It is too delicate a situation to trivialise this issue. Everybody knows what happened, the appropriate measures were taken.
"Obviously we can only talk about football, about other issues, I think, that the people and the relevant systems did what they had to do, and everybody knows how it ended - without a condemnatory sentence.
"He's a footballer of the highest level, who comes to Getafe with enormous hope. We are going to help him to recover his best level."
Mason Greenwood is now training with Getafe (PA)Now Greenwood has taken part in his first training session. Getafe staged an open session at the club’s home ground - the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez - on Tuesday morning.
Pictures and videos shared by the club show him coming out of the tunnel to applause from supporters, whilst he also gave a series of high-five to young fans. That was accompanied by a post reading: “We love you, @masongreenwood.”
Also, speaking in a video shared on Getafe’s official X feed - the social media site formerly known as Twitter - he said: "Hi Getafe fans, it's Mason here. I'm so happy to be here and I can't wait to get started."
Mason Greenwood on the ball during Getafe's latest training session (PA)
Mason Greenwood has now met his new teammates (PA)The 21-year-old continued to feature heavily on the club’s social content as he took part in a possession-based drill, whilst he was also shown firing a few efforts towards goal - some efforts finding the back of the net, whilst Getafe stopper David Soria reacted to parry others.
Greenwood will continue to train with his new side throughout the international break. He is not under consideration for the England national team, as confirmed by Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions boss said: “It’s clearly a very complex case. He’s not playing so it’s not a consideration for us. It’s hypothetical. Whatever I say will be used in a less nuanced fashion frankly.”
Getafe are next back in action on September 17 as they host Osasuna. They will be aiming to secure their second victory of the season having won just one of their opening four games.
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