Real Betis Balompié has finalized their professional squad and List A for the Champions League with the signing of Dani Ceballos. The midfielder, who returns on a free transfer after nine years, joined training early under manager Manuel Pellegrini.
The Andalusian club must submit their final list to UEFA before midnight on Wednesday. The tournament's league phase kicks off next week with a trip to French side Lille. This marks Betis's second foray into Europe's top competition, over twenty years after their only previous appearance, also under Pellegrini's guidance.
Dani Ceballos is a product of the Betis youth academy, developed at the club between the ages of 15 and 21. His return brings top-level experience, with 35 appearances and three Champions League titles to his name. Pellegrini did not sign any other central midfielders in the final hours of the window. Ceballos has been assigned the number 25 shirt, traditionally reserved for a third-choice goalkeeper at the club.
His arrival solves an administrative puzzle. Betis had already filled all available professional squad slots. With Ceballos, the club meets UEFA's List A requirements for homegrown players. Alongside him, other academy graduates like goalkeeper Álvaro Valles and full-backs Ángel Ortiz and Junior Firpo also count towards the rule.
Champions League regulations mandate a minimum of eight players trained in the country of the club's federation, with at least four of those trained at the club itself. Real Betis Balompié comfortably exceeds that number. In the 'club-trained' category are players like Diego Conde, Bartra, Diego Llorente, Fran García, Marc Roca, Isco, Fidalgo, Fornals, and Riquelme.
Also, the team can register unlimited players on List B, reserved for youth prospects. Academy product Manu González, registered with the reserve team, will be one addition to that list. Sporting director Manu Fajardo has overseen the entire squad-building process for the dual challenge in La Liga and Europe.
Ceballos's return comes at a key moment in the season. Their next fixture is a high-voltage home match against Real Madrid this Friday, September 4th.
However, they face this period with several significant absences. The injury list includes Diego Conde, Giovani Lo Celso, Johnny Morante, Guido Petit, and Aitor Ruibal.
Ceballos's European experience is an invaluable asset for a team returning to the continental elite after a long absence. His knowledge of the competition complements a squad blending veterans and youth. The fact that Deossa and Iker Losada did not leave this summer also provides depth in midfield.
The immediate objective is to handle the new league phase, where they will face eight different opponents. Every point will be vital. The squad, now complete, has all the pieces Pellegrini deemed necessary. The team faces a week with a Liga match against Madrid and then their European debut. Dani Ceballos has already posed for the official season photos in the green-and-white strip.
