Real Madrid's Federico Valverde tests positive for coronavirus

Real Madrid have confirmed midfielder Federico Valverde has tested positive for COVID-19.

Los Blancos recently announced that the 22-year-old was self-isolating after being in close contact with someone who had later tested positive for coronavirus and it's now been revealed that he too has contracted the illness.

In a statement released on the club's official website, they offered little in the way of an update on the player or how long he would be forced to self-isolate, just that a positive test had been returned.

"Real Madrid informs that our player, Fede Valverde, has tested positive in the COVID-19 test carried out today," the statement read.

Valverde has been in and out of the Real starting XI this season and has picked up a number of injuries that have limited his time in the matchday squad.

However, he's proven to be a key member of Zinedine Zidane's side when fit and has plugged a whole host of gaps as the Real boss looks to manage his squad while fighting for silverware both domestically and in Europe.

Valverde started at right-back against Liverpool in the second leg of Real's Champions League quarter-final tie at Anfield earlier this month, and he performed the role well as Los Blancos secured a 0-0 draw to take them through to the last four of the competition after their 3-1 win in the home leg.

The Uruguay international also started out of position on the right of Zidane's midfield in their crucial clash with Barcelona a little less than two weeks ago, as Real strengthened their bid to regain their La Liga title with a 2-1 win in El Clasico.

It's unclear how long Valverde will be forced to self-isolate for, though Zidane can ill afford to lose any more players with pivotal league and Champions League fixtures on the horizon.