LaLiga star Pablo Garcia was left in tears after being forced to leave boyhood club Real Betis on deadline day.
Twenty-year-old Garcia has been a regular for Betis, playing in all three league games so far this season, but has now put pen to paper on a deal to join Racing Santander.
He joined Betis aged six, and worked his way through the academy ranks to become a first team regular. He played 33 times for the club in total, scoring six goals – including a late winner against Valencia last week.
But, with the club keen to re-sign former Arsenal and Real Madrid man, they needed to make quick money, and decided to let Garcia go.
He was seen in floods of tears as he left Betis’ stadium on Tuesday evening, waving to fans as he wiped his eyes.
Ceballos, 30, was contracted to Madrid for nine years in total, with two of those spent on loan at Arsenal. He had joined Betis as a teenager, playing for them until 2017, when he moved to Madrid.
A teary Pablo Garcia waved goodbye to Real Betis fans on Tuesday as he was sold for financial reasons
Garcia joined Betis at the age of six, but has now left the club for Racing Santander
Betis, therefore, were essentially forced to pick between the two players, and chose Ceballos, who signed a three-year deal.
Football fans, though, were left stunned by the decision.
‘Shameless!’ one fan wrote on X. ‘You don’t do this to family!’
Another posted: ‘Aren’t you ashamed?’
A third shared: ‘This really is sad. We have to blame (Javier) Tebas (LaLiga president).’
Garcia told Spanish media: ‘It is a very difficult time for everyone, but we have to keep our heads up and look forward. I hope to return, that is what we all want.’
‘There were many things I could not influence. I wish everything had gone as we had all hoped. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart to all Betis fans.’
His father added on RadioCOPE: ‘This is really hard for us. If that is how Betis fans feel, imagine how we must feel. It was 15 years, a whole eternity.’
While Ceballos could be in line to make his second debut against former side Madrid this weekend, Betis will take on Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
The two teams will face off next in December.
