Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will leave the club at the end of the season, the Spanish giants announced on Monday.
The 34-year-old defender, who made more than 450 appearances for Madrid, departs as one of the most decorated players in the club’s history, having won 27 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns.
In a statement, Madrid described Carvajal as “one of the greatest legends of our club and world football.”
Carvajal rose through Real Madrid’s famed La Fabrica academy before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2012. The Spanish side re-signed him a year later, and he went on to establish himself as a key figure in the team’s success over the past decade.
“Carvajal is a legend and a symbol of Real Madrid and its academy,” club president Florentino Perez said.
The Spain international had hoped to feature for Spain national football team at this summer’s World Cup, but recurring injury problems during a difficult campaign are expected to rule him out of coach Luis de la Fuente’s squad, according to Spanish media reports.
Carvajal is set to make his final appearance for Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, as Los Blancos prepare to end a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
