Real Madrid have completed the signing of Spain Under-21 midfielder Dani Ceballos from Real Betis on a six-year deal.
Ceballos starred in Spain s run to the final of the European Under-21 Championship, where he was named player of the tournament, and reportedly attracted the attention of both Madrid and Barcelona.
But reigning LaLiga champions Madrid stole a march on their rivals when Betis chairman Angel Haro confirmed the player had agreed terms to join Zinedine Zidane s squad earlier this week.
According to reports in Spain, Madrid will pay €18million for the 20-year-old – in excess of a €15m buyout clause.
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— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN)
Ceballos joins Madrid two days on from James Rodriguez s surprise departure to Bayern Munich on an initial two-year loan deal.
He will be presented as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday next week before joining the club s pre-season tour of the United States the following day.
As a teenager, Ceballos made controversial comments in subsequently deleted social media posts regarding Barcelona, Gerard Pique and Catalans, although he praised Lionel Messi and criticised Cristiano Ronaldo s conduct during the 2013 Copa del Rey final when the Portugal star was sent off during an extra-time loss to Atletico Madrid.