Did You Know? Five facts about new Arsenal playmaker Dani Ceballos

Arsenal have beaten a number of clubs, including rivals Tottenham Hotspur, to sign Real Madrid playmaker Dani Ceballos on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old has not been a regular in Los Blancos’ starting XI since signing from Real Betis in 2017 but has still been part of a squad that’s won five trophies in two years.

In search of regular minutes on the pitch though, Ceballos has opted to become Unai Emery’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of 18-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal fans will hope that the Spain international can fill the void left by Aaron Ramsey, who ended his 11-year stay at the club to join Juventus on a free.

But who is Dani Ceballos? Here’s five facts about the attacking midfielder that you can share with your mates.

Bouncing Back

Ceballos’ dreams were dashed at the age of 14 when he was released by boyhood club Sevilla as he suffered with chronic bronchitis.

But the Spaniard used that heartbreaking moment to kick-on and after playing for hometown club CD Utrera before being picked up by Sevilla’s bitter rivals Real Betis in 2011.

Teenage Talent

Most players in Spain (even Lionel Messi) represent their club’s B team before making their senior bow.

But, at the age of 17, Ceballos was handed his first-team debut as a substitute against Real Sociedad before having even played for the B side.

The next campaign he scored five times in 35 matches to help Betis get promoted back to La Liga at the first time of asking. Not bad for someone who had just turned 18.

Tricky Technician

Every fan loves a player who runs with the ball so Arsenal supporters will be delighted to see Ceballos’ stats from his first two full seasons in La Liga.

In 2015/16 and 2016/17, he completed more dribbles (133) than any other under-21 player in Spain’s top-tier.

This subsequently saw the country’s biggest clubs vying for his signature with Real Madrid winning the race.

International Performer

Ceballos has always delivered when called upon by his country.

After helping Spain Under-19s win the European Championship in 2015, the creator was named Player of the Tournament and in the Team of the Tournament at the Under-21 edition two years later.

But after losing that 2017 final to Germany, Ceballos was back in the summer of 2019 to this time win the trophy as he was again named in the Team of the Tournament.

The former Real Betis star also has six caps at senior level and is expected to become a regular in the coming years if he plays to his potential.

Web Savvy 

Cabellos loves to post on social media via his Twitter and Instagram accounts which combined, have a following of over 1.7milion.

This has sometimes got him into trouble as the playmaker pretty much says whatever is on his mind.

However, this, plus his newly launched website, could be a source of entertainment for Gooners over the next 12 months.