London, July 25: Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan, the Premier League club have confirmed.
Tottenham were reportedly leading the chase for the playmaker, who starred as Spain won the Under-21 European Championship last month.
But it is Arsenal who have the north London bragging rights on this occasion, with Ceballos agreeing to a temporary switch from Madrid to Emirates Stadium.
Ceballos signed for Madrid from Real Betis in 2017 but failed to establish himself in his first season at Santiago Bernabeu.
🇪🇸 #HolaDani 👋
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) 25 July 2019
Welcome to The Arsenal, @DaniCeballos46 😎 pic.twitter.com/8gZLggahJZ
Zinedine Zidane's departure at the end of 2017-18 afforded the 22-year-old more opportunities, although he made just three La Liga appearances following the Frenchman's return to Los Blancos in March.
Ceballos becomes Unai Emery's third signing of the close-season after William Saliba - who has been sent back to Saint-Etienne on loan - and young Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli.