​As anticipated, Fran Garcia has departed Real Madrid to join La Liga rivals Real Betis on a permanent basis. The Seville-based club announced the signing of the 26-year-old defender today, confirming that he has agreed to a four-year contract that will keep him at Betis until 2030. Real Madrid subsequently verified the deal, issuing a statement that read: “Real Madrid CF and Real Betis Balompié have reached an agreement for the transfer of our player Fran Garcia.”
Negotiations between Real Betis and Real Madrid had been progressing for some time, but the deal moved quickly once both clubs reached a consensus. Garcia underwent his medical examinations and signed his contract promptly, officially becoming a Real Betis player. Although not specified in the public statement, Real Madrid is set to receive a €4 million fee for the 50% share of the player’s economic rights, a figure that many observers view as a prudent move for a player in the final year of his contract with the club.
The transfer comes in the wake of Real Madrid’s summer moves, including the acquisition of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea and the decision for Álvaro Carreras to remain with the team. These moves signaled that Garcia no longer fit into the plans of new manager José Mourinho. The left-back thus departs his boyhood club four years after he was re-signed from Rayo Vallecano, where he spent three seasons.
Garcia leaves Real Madrid having made 110 first-team appearances across his two spells at the club, contributing three goals and 13 assists. Throughout his time at Los Blancos, he collected five major trophies: one UEFA Champions League title, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, and one Spanish Super Cup. This transfer marks a new chapter for the defender as he takes on a fresh challenge with Real Betis in the pursuit of further success in Spain’s top flight.