He's the newest icon of Real Madrid's youth system. Rubén de la Red has gone back and forth between the Second Team and the First Team for the better of three seasons. The midfielder renewed his contract until 2011 on Friday and will now fall under the orders of coach Bernd Schuster.

Among all the youth teamers who have recently joined the First Team of Real Madrid, there's no doubt that Rubén de la Red has the most experience, and it's because the player has constantly been swapped back and forth between Castilla and the First Team over the last three years. But now he's officially a member of Real Madrid's elite category and he knows it will be a struggle to stay on top. “My future depends only on myself and the job I do, but today is a special day because I belong to the First Team, which has been my goal since I joined Real Madrid. Now I have to set new objectives,” he said.

Since he arrived in Real Madrid's Factory, the midfielder has risen through the ranks until becoming one of the cornerstones of Real Madrid Castilla and the object of desire for many First Division teams. De la Red knows that reaching the top is very complicated, but he is pleased that manager Bernd Schuster has callled on the services of several Real Madrid players this season. “A few of us will have the chance of moving up to the First Team this season, proving that Real Madrid's youth system is working and developing better players. This youth system could be the best in the world.”

A natural born organiser, his football resembles that of the man who will be his coach this year, Bernd Schuster, who already expressed interest in the player for Getafe last season. De la Red now makes the definitive leap to the First Team, where he hopes to continue learning and where he'll fight to earn a spot in the lineup. “I have to work hard from minute one and have faith in my chances,” he commented after signing his new contract.