Dani Carvajal leaves Real Madrid after 23 years and 27 titles to join Getafe

Former Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal joined Getafe on a free transfer on 13 October 2026. The Madrid-born right-back had been without a club since his contract at the Bernabeu expired in June.

Carvajal, 34, entered Real Madrid’s academy in 2002 and remained at the club for 23 years. He made 451 appearances for Real Madrid and collected 27 trophies, including six Champions League titles, during his time there. He also served as captain of the club.

He has opted to stay in the Spanish capital by signing for Getafe, a club based in the south of the city that sit 11th in La Liga. The move keeps him little more than 10 miles south of the Bernabeu rather than taking him abroad or out of the top level. Getafe announced the signing as a free transfer.

On the international stage, Carvajal made 51 appearances for Spain. His Spain honours include the Nations League win in 2023 and the European Championships triumph in 2024. Those caps form part of his wider international record.

Carvajal has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, suffering a cruciate ligament tear in October 2024 and then another serious knee injury a year later. Injuries, together with the arrival of Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, limited his appearances in his final season at Real Madrid. That reduced playing time preceded his departure from the club.

Getafe said they welcomed his "experience and leadership" after completing the signing. The transfer places Carvajal on the opposite side of the city’s second derby to his former club.

He has signed a deal with Getafe until June next year. The contract will keep him in the Spanish capital for the duration of that agreement.