One of Real Madrid brightest youngsters, Chema Andres has officially left the club, with the 20-year-old midfielder completing a €6m (£5.1m) move to Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
The Castilla product bid farewell to the Spanish club on Saturday via a message on social media, bringing an end to a seven-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Andres, who has been regarded as one of the most promising talents in Real Madrid’s academy, is highly rated by former Madrid midfielder and new manager Xabi Alonso, under whom he featured at the Club World Cup.
As part of the deal, Real Madrid have reportedly included a buy-back clause, allowing them to re-sign the player in the future if he impresses in Germany.
Chema Andres leaves Real Madrid to start a new adventure in Germany. (Photo by Elsa – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
“After seven years, it is time to say goodbye to what has been my home and my life all this time. I arrived as a child eager to learn and play football, and I leave as a completely different person, full of memories, lessons and, above all, people who have shaped my journey. Thank you for making every training session, every match, and every moment count. Thank you for everything. I will always carry this club in my heart,” Andres wrote.
Despite receiving several offers from La Liga clubs, Andres opted for a permanent transfer abroad — a move that Real Madrid reportedly preferred as La Liga clubs wanted a loan deal.
According to Marca, the Madrid board and Alonso view the Bundesliga as a good environment for the midfielder’s development, offering more first-team opportunities and exposure to top-level football.
In the 2025-26 season, Andres will not only feature in the Bundesliga but also in the Europa League and the DFB-Pokal. Before the official campaign kicks off, Stuttgart are set to face Bayern Munich in the German Supercup on 16 August.
