Real Madrid officially confirm departure of 28-year-old midfielder | OneFootball

After having already made four new signings for their team this summer, Real Madrid are currently facing an overbooking problem, as their squad has reached the number of 27 players, if the new signings, who have not yet joined, are included.

As a result, the Merengues are looking to urgently complete some exit operations, particularly as Jose Mourinho wants yet another center-back and a new midfielder, and there is not enough space in the team for these new acquisitions.

In such a context, Real Madrid have already completed their first operation, by parting ways with the midfielder Dani Ceballos, who has agreed to waive off the final year of his contract. According to Diario AS, the agreement for this was already reached between the club and the player a week ago. The Merengue side has today officially announced the Spaniard’s departure, with the following statement:

“Real Madrid C. F. and Dani Ceballos have mutually agreed to end his time as a player for our club.

Dani Ceballos has been a Real Madrid player since 2017, during one of the most successful periods in our history. 

Throughout the seven seasons he has been part of the first team, he played 215 matches and won 16 titles: 3 European Cups, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 2 Spanish Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey, and 3 Spanish Super Cups.

Meanwhile, the player himself published a farewell message for his followers on social media, which ran as follows:

“After nine years, the time has come to bring one of the most important chapters of my life to a close.

It hasn’t been an easy decision. It hasn’t been an easy year either, and perhaps that’s exactly why I felt the time had come to end this chapter and embrace a new challenge with the same excitement I had when I first arrived.

I want to thank Real Madrid for giving me the opportunity to wear the greatest badge in the world and to spend so many years learning from the very best. It has been an honor to wear this shirt, to grow as both a footballer and a person, and to be part of a history full of success that I will always remember.

Thank you to the president, the coaches, all my teammates, the club staff, and everyone who made me feel part of this great family from day one.

And above all, thank you to the Madridistas. Thank you for your unconditional support, for your high standards, for celebrating the happiest moments with me, and for standing by me during the most difficult ones. Your affection has meant far more than words can express, and it will stay with me forever.

I leave with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything for this badge, defended these colors with pride and with all my heart, and made memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Real Madrid will always be a part of me, and I will always be grateful.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hala Madrid.”

Despite his commendable trophy haul with Real Madrid, Dani Ceballos was still unable to reach the individual heights that he was expected to when he joined the club in 2017 from Real Betis, as the MVP of the U-19 European Championship. Despite playing under several coaches during this time, he was unable to become a fixed starter for any of them, and also spent two years, 2019-21, at the Premier League side Arsenal on loan.

With this contract termination, he has agreed to forego a year’s salary, which would have amounted up to €5 million. However, this would free him up to join any club according to his choice, with Real Betis being strongly linked with him. Wherever he lands, he would hopefully enjoy the prominence that he did not get to enjoy at Real Madrid.