Ceballos Credits ‘Idol’ Reyes For Arsenal Move
Dani Ceballos has revealed that former Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes is the inspiration behind his loan move from Real Madrid to the Gunners.
Ceballos completed his temporary switch to the Emirates stadium on Thursday in search of first team football after finding it difficult to break into Zinedine Zidane’s starting eleven.
Reyes was killed in a car crash in Spain on June 1 at the age of 35, leaving behind a wife and three kids
Reyes was a member of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ side who went the entire 2003/2004 Premier League season unbeaten and he became the first ever Spaniard to win the league title that season.
Ceballos, who recently helped the Spanish U-21 team to win the UEFA EURO U-21 Championships, has revealed a chat with Reyes’ father convinced him to make the move to North-London.
Ceballos told Arsenal's official website: “This is a historic club that I’ve always looked out for because of Jose Antonio Reyes who is from the same town as me and played here.
“He made history at this club winning the league title, so it’s an important step in my career to join Arsenal.
“I spoke to his [Reyes’] father just before coming here and he told me not to think twice because this is a wonderful club. Jose had a fantastic time here.
“When I came into the training ground today I saw a picture of him and it really struck me because he’s like my childhood idol.”
Ceballos will wear the number 8 jersey, which was left vacant after Aaron Ramsey completed a free transfer to Italian champions Juventus in the off-season.
