La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid has confirmed the termination of a first-team player’s contract. The club announced on Friday that midfielder Dani Ceballos’s tenure with Los Blancos has officially concluded.
Ceballos had been widely expected to leave the Spanish capital this summer, as he was reportedly not part of the future plans following a disappointing 2025/26 campaign. With securing a significant transfer fee for the former Arsenal player deemed unlikely, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and the club’s management entered into discussions with Ceballos’s representatives regarding an immediate contract termination.
An agreement has now been reached, as stated in a joint announcement on Real Madrid’s website and social media platforms:
“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. Real Madrid thanks Dani Ceballos for his commitment and dedication during his time defending our jersey, and 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 his home.”
Official: Real Madrid announce contract termination
La Liga giants Real Madrid have on Friday announced a contract termination in the club’s first-team ranks.
This comes amid confirmation that Dani Ceballos’ stint in the colours of Los Blancos has officially come to a close.
Midfielder Ceballos had of course long been tipped to depart Spain’s capital this summer, not featuring in the plans of the incoming José Mourinho following an underwhelming campaign all told in 2025/26.
After coming to the conclusion that securing any form of notable return for the former Arsenal man was something of a long shot, Florentino Pérez and co. therefore opened talks with Ceballos’ entourage over an immediate contract termination.
And as alluded to above, late this week, an agreement regarding precisely as much has been reached.
As per a statement across Real Madrid’s website and social media platforms:
‘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.
‘Real Madrid thanks Dani Ceballos for his commitment and dedication during his time defending our jersey, and 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 his home.’
