Real Madrid Castilla

Real Madrid Castilla is a Spanish football team that plays in Segunda División B. It is Real Madrid's reserve team, and is therefore an integral part of Real Madrid's youth academy, La Fábrica. They play their home games at Alfredo di Stéfano Stadium. Unlike the English football league system, reserve teams in Spain play in the same league system as their senior team rather than a separate league. Reserve teams, however, cannot play in the same division as their senior team. Therefore, Real Madrid B are ineligible for promotion to the Primera División. Reserve teams are also no longer permitted to enter the Copa del Rey. In addition, only under-23 players, or under-25 players with a professional contract, can switch between senior and reserve teams. While a few players have gone on to establish themselves in the Real Madrid first team, several former Castilla players such as Ismael Urzaiz, Santiago Cañizares, Juan Mata, Álvaro Negredo, Mista, and Luis García have all moved on to successful careers with other clubs.