Dani Ceballos returns to Real Betis on free transfer

Real Betis have re-signed Dani Ceballos on a free transfer in the final hours of the summer transfer window, with the Spain midfielder agreeing a contract until 2029.

Ceballos, 30, had been without a club since his contract with Real Madrid expired at the end of the 2025-26 season. His return takes him back to the club where he began his professional career and made his La Liga debut.

The midfielder joined the Real Betis academy as a young player before making his first-team debut in Spain’s top flight in 2014. He spent three notable seasons with the club before moving to Real Madrid in the summer of 2017.

Ceballos remained with Real Madrid until this summer, winning two La Liga titles, three UEFA Champions League trophies and two UEFA Super Cups. He also lifted the Intercontinental Cup, three FIFA Club World Cups, the Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups during his time at the Madrid club.

He made 215 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring seven goals and providing 16 assists.

Ceballos also spent two seasons on loan at Arsenal between 2019 and 2021. During his time in England, he won the FA Cup and the Community Shield with the Premier League club.

On the international stage, Ceballos made his Spain debut in 2018 and has won 14 caps to date.

His move back to Real Betis brings to an end his spell as a free agent and represents a return to the club that developed him. He now joins the side under a deal running through to 2029, although no further details of the transfer were provided.

The announcement came in the closing hours of the summer transfer window, completing Ceballos’ return to Seville after nine years away from the club. His previous spell at Real Betis established him as one of Spain’s promising young midfielders before his move to Real Madrid, where he became part of a squad that collected major domestic and European honours.

Ceballos’ career has therefore included a rise through the Real Betis academy, a successful period with Real Madrid, a loan spell in the Premier League with Arsenal and involvement with the Spain national team. His latest move sees him return to his first senior club with the contract securing his services until 2029.