In the southern reaches of Madrid, Dani Carvajal has chosen continuity over comfort. Getafe confirmed on Tuesday, 13 October that the 34-year-old defender has joined José Bordalás’ side after leaving Real Madrid, accepting a dramatic pay cut in order to remain in LaLiga.
Carvajal is expected to earn close to €1 million a year at the Coliseum, having reportedly received around €10 million annually during his time at Real Madrid. The new deal therefore represents a reduction of roughly 90 per cent, but it gives the Spain international the chance to keep playing regularly after a career spent almost entirely at the Bernabéu.
His agreement with Getafe runs until 30 June 2027, covering the remainder of the current campaign. He will wear the number 14 shirt in a move that takes him to only the third club of his senior career. Carvajal spent the 2012-13 season on loan with Bayer Leverkusen before establishing himself at Real Madrid, where he collected 27 trophies, including six Champions League crowns.
A veteran arrival for a difficult league position
Getafe have turned to Carvajal’s experience while operating close to the wrong end of the Spanish table. Bordalás’ team are 14th on eight points, just two ahead of 16th-placed Elche, who occupy a relegation position. The club hope their new signing can provide authority and stability as they seek to move clear of the danger zone and settle in mid-table.
The prospect of staying active is understood to have been decisive for Carvajal, outweighing the financial sacrifice required to complete the transfer. For a player accustomed to title races and European finals in central Madrid, the challenge now is considerably different: helping a compact club from the capital avoid a troubled finish to the season.
His first outing could come on Thursday, 15 October, when Getafe travel to U Craiova for their opening Conference League match. His potential LaLiga debut is set for Monday, 19 October, at home to Rayo Vallecano.
A return to the Santiago Bernabéu will have to wait until the new year. Getafe are due to face Real Madrid on Sunday, 3 January 2027, in matchday 18, the penultimate round of the first half of the league season. Kick-off has yet to be confirmed, but Carvajal is set to return to his old stadium wearing the colours of one of Madrid’s other clubs.
