Sergio Ramos accepts pay cut to return to Sevilla

Real Madrid legend and former Spanish international Sergio Ramos will play in the Spanish La Liga this season after agreeing to join his former club, Sevilla, as a free agent.

Sergio Ramos spent the last two seasons at French club Paris Saint-Germain before his contract expired at the end of last season. However, the Paris Club chose not to renew his contract, and clubs in Saudi Arabia were interested in bringing him over to the Saudi Pro League on a bumper salary.

Despite the financial gains, the former Real Madrid defender and captain decided to turn down the offer and move to Sevilla. It is a return to the club that it all started from for the 37-year-old, who joined the club’s Academy at the age of 7 before going on to make 50 appearances in all competitions prior to his exit to join Real Madrid in 2005.

Sergio Ramos will now spend a year at Sevilla after signing a one-year contract and was unveiled on Monday where he said he was delighted to return home.

“It’s a very special day. Returning home is a tremendous joy. So that’s it, thanks for the reception. Now we have to do the [medical] tests and those things. I am happy to be returning, and well, we have time to do the press conference, and the presentation, and so on. It would have been pointless going anywhere else without coming back here to play first. I think it was a debt to my grandfather, to my father, to Sevillismo, to Puerta, and many things that have meant a lot. I think it was time. We’ll leave the rest for later.” Ramos said.

Ramos played for Real Madrid for 16 seasons in the Spanish capital, making 671 appearances and winning 22 trophies, including five La Liga titles to go alongside his European success.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu