Real Madrid have confirmed that captain and record-breaking striker Raul will leave the club today after 16 years in the first team and with German side Schalke his destination.
Real Madrid have confirmed that captain and record-breaking striker Raul will leave the club today after 16 years in the first team and with German side Schalke his destination.
Raul, who has played for Real since 1994, won six La Liga championships and three Champions League titles during his time with the Spanish giants.
He has scored 323 times in 740 appearances for the club.
Fellow veteran Guti, a product of Real's youth system who made his pro debut in 1995, said earlier yesterday that he was leaving for Besiktas in Turkey his likely new home.
Both men have been told by new coach Jose Mourinho that they do not form part of his plans for the new season.
A statement on the Real official website yesterday announced that 33-year-old Raul would be afforded a farewell celebration at the Bernabeu. "The farewell party will start at 1pm. Club president Florentino Perez will be present, and it will be followed by a press conference by Raul and general director Jorge Valdano," said a club statement. Guti said yesterday that he was closing a "glorious stage" in his career as he parted ways with Real Madrid after 15 seasons.
"I believe you have to be aware that there are stages that close and in this case for me it is a very glorious stage at Real Madrid which is coming to an end," the 33-year-old said.
Guti, who had another year on his contract, said he was considering an offer from Besiktas, where he would be coached by German's Bernd Schuster, who managed Real between 2007 and 2008.
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