Real Madrid confirm sale of Joselu after triggering buy option

Real Madrid have announced they have sold Joselu to Qatari side Al-Gharafa.

Joselu spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Madrid from Espanyol and played an important role in their La Liga and Champions League double.

Reports from Spain claimed Madrid planned to keep Joselu by exercising the purchase option in their loan agreement.

However, Madrid have now revealed they have agreed to sell the 34-year-old.

A club statement read: "Real Madrid CF, after making effective its option to acquire the rights of the player Joselu Mato against RCD Espanyol, has reached an agreement with Al-Gharafa SC for the transfer of our player.

"Real Madrid thanks Joselu for his professionalism and his 'madridismo', and shows all its affection to him and his family, to whom it wishes the best of luck in this new stage of their lives."

Joselu said: "Thank you

"It is the best and most appropriate word to express everything I feel at this moment, in which emotion and nerves barely allow me to write.

"Thank you Real Madrid for everything you have made me feel throughout my life. Outside and inside. Inside and outside.

"Thank you for what you taught me when I was a kid; thank you for giving me so many examples of greatness and humility at the same time.

"Thank you for keeping my dream alive and making it come true.

"Thank you Presi, you are very great.

"Thank you Jose Angel for so much.

"Thank you to each and every employee of the largest and most exemplary club. 

"Thank you coach for your way of understanding this game.

"Thank you team for being my family.

"Thank you fans for so much passion, so much affection and that complicity that made us fly.

"I left years ago but I never left. Today I'm also leaving but in reality I'm staying.

"Thank you."

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