Nelson Semedo

Real Madrid acquires midfielder Ceballos, Barca gets Semedo

Published Jul. 14, 2017 1:29 p.m. ET

MADRID (AP) Real Madrid secured the transfer of up-and-coming midfielder Dani Ceballos on Friday, while Barcelona reinforced its defense with Portugal's Nelson Semedo.

Madrid announced it reached an agreement with Real Betis to acquire the 20-year-old Ceballos, who it says will sign a six-year contract.

Ceballos was named the best player of the Under-21 European Championship last month, when he helped Spain reach the final before losing to Germany 1-0. He came up through Betis' youth squads and joined its first team in 2014, scoring two goals in 31 games last season.

Ceballos will have to compete with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Francisco ''Isco'' Alarcon for playing time.

Neither Madrid nor Betis disclosed the price of his transfer to the European and Spanish champions.

Barcelona also said it struck a deal with Benfica for the transfer of 23-year-old right back Semedo for 30 million euros ($34 million).

Semedo helped Benfica win two Portuguese league titles, and has three goals in 63 appearances across all competitions. He also played for Portugal in the Confederations Cup.

Semedo will be expected to start at right back, a position filled by midfielder Sergi Roberto last season following Dani Alves' exit a year ago.

''(Semedo) is a young player but one with experience in the highest competitions,'' Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu said. ''We were looking for a right back for some time, and now we have one.''

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