Real Madrid have confirmed the sale of Joselu Mato to Qatari side Al-Gharafa for a fee of €1.5m, after making his deal permanent from Espanyol this week. The 34-year-old leaves the club after just one season, having spent two years at the Castilla side earlier in his career too.
Joselu played 49 times for Los Blancos this season, playing a crucial role for Carlo Ancelotti as a rotational option and impact substitute, which brought 18 goals to the cause. Never was that more clear than against Bayern Munich, when scored a brace in a matter of minutes to send Los Blancos through to the Champions League final.
🛫 From Madrid to Al Gharafa 💛
Officially… @JoseluMato9 , the Spanish international, joins Cheetahs 🐆 pic.twitter.com/acmd97t9g5
— AL GHARAFA SC | نادي الغرافة (@ALGHARAFACLUB) June 28, 2024
Los Blancos had activated their €1.5m buy option on Joselu, and have sold him for the same price, doing him one last courtesy. Espanyol, who he was on loan from, had publicly declared Al-Gharafa would have to negotiate with them.
The giant striker has joined Al-Gharafa in Qatar, where he will earn a reported €8.5m per year. His deal will last two years with an option for a third, as he seeks to cash in on potentially his last big contract. Joselu will no doubt have the affection of Madridistas forever due to his timely intervention against Bayern.
