OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Announce Sergio Ramos’ Departure

Real Madrid have confirmed that club legend Sergio Ramos would be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu after 16 massive years. 

The announcement was made on Wednesday evening via the club's official website, stating that Ramos who is seeking a new challenge will talk to the press on Thursday alongside Florentino Perez.

"Real Madrid CF announces that tomorrow, Thursday, June 17, at 12:30 pm, there will be an institutional act of tribute and farewell to our captain Sergio Ramos, with the presence of our president Florentino Pérez." Reads a club statement.

"Next, Sergio Ramos will appear before the media at a telematic press conference."

Ramos contract with the Los Blancos is set to expire at the end of the season.

The Spaniard leaves the club as the greatest defender to ever play for Real Madrid.

He has scored a total of 101 goals, 40 aasusts, on 671 appearances, winning four Champions League titles, five La Liga trophies, two Copa del Rey titles, four Supercopa, three UEFA Super Cup, four Club World Cups 

He joins teammate Marcelo as one of the most decorated Madridistas of all time, just behind only winger Paco Gento.

Ramos signed for Real Madrid in 2005 for a record fee of €27m from Sevilla, and became the best defender to ever wear the club’s white shirt. His leadership skills and his natural ability to perform at the big stage will go down in history.

It was during his time in the Spanish capital that he also won the 2010 World Cup with Spain along with back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Despite being 35, Ramos is still capable of playing at a high level, although he did suffer from muscle injuries and knee problems which required surgeries during the just concluded 2020/21 season.

He played just 21 times as Real Madrid narrowly lost out in the La Liga title race to city rivals Atletico Madrid, while also going out at the semi-final stage of the Champions League against Chelsea.

This made him not fit enough to make Spain's squad for the ongoing Euro 2020, despite Luis Enrique picking only 24 players from a possible 26.

He's been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United but also a move to the Chinese Super League.