Daniel Ceballos has announced that his nine-year association with Real Madrid has come to an end following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.
Ceballos, who joined Madrid from Real Betis in 2017 for a transfer fee of €18 million, confirmed his decision on Friday and is now looking for a new club.
The 29-year-old made 215 appearances in all competitions during his time in the Spanish capital, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists.
He spent two seasons on loan at Premier League side Arsenal between 2019 and 2021, and helped the Gunners win the FA Cup in his first campaign with the team.
Ceballos won 15 major honors with Madrid, including two LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues, and is seizing the opportunity for a new opportunity in his career.
“It has not been an easy decision,” Ceballos said in a statement on social media.
“It has not been an easy year either, and perhaps that is precisely why I felt that the time had come to put an end to this stage and face a new challenge with the same enthusiasm with which I arrived one day.”
Thanks for everything @real Madrid pic.twitter.com/oaGX1JITtf
— Daniel Ceballos (@DaniCeballos46) June 26, 2026
Ceballos endured an injury-marred campaign last season, playing just 27 times in all competitions, and only seven of those were starts under Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa.
“Real Madrid thanks Dani Ceballos for his commitment and dedication during his time defending our shirt,” the whites said in a statement.
“We wish him and his entire family the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives. Real Madrid is and will always be their home.”
Ceballos follows Dani Carvajal and David Alaba out of the starting gate in Madrid ahead of the new season in which José Mourinho will return to the Santiago Bernabéu dugout.
Madrid have been busy in the summer transfer window so far, completing deals for Marc Cucurella, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.
