Arsenal new boy Dani Ceballos has revealed that he sought advice from the father of the late Jose Antonio Reyes before making his switch to the Emirates.
Ceballos joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Real Madrid earlier this week, following his ‘childhood idol’ Reyes in swapping La Liga for the Premier League.
The 22-year-old is from the same Andalusian town, Utrera, as Reyes, the former Arsenal and Real Madrid star who died tragically in a car accident earlier this year at the age of just 35.
As a young boy growing up in Spain, Ceballos watched from afar as Arsenal’s 'Invincibles' dazzled English football, and the midfielder says it was Reyes who first attracted him to the club.
“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,” Ceballos told Arsenal.com.
“He made history at this club, winning the league title, so it’s an important step in my career for me to join Arsenal.
“I spoke to his 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
"Being at the club where he made a name for himself is a big step forward and I hope to make this club even bigger.”
Ceballos could be in line to make his debut for the Gunners in the International Champions Cup friendly with Lyon on Sunday.
