Alejandro Grimaldo will join Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Athletic revealed in March that the Spanish full-back had decided against renewing his contract with Benfica, where he has been since joining from Barcelona in 2016.

Grimaldo, 27, will join fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen. Alonso has coached the Bundesliga club since October.

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“It is an exciting challenge,” Grimaldo said on his move. “I played for seven years at a top European club, but it just excites me to show my strengths in the Bundesliga.

“For me, it is one of the best leagues in Europe, and in terms of the ambience and the atmosphere in the stadiums, certainly unique.

“The fact that a Bundesliga club like Bayer 04 has tried for me makes me very proud. I am sure that we will experience a fantastic time together.”

Welcome to #Bayer04, @grimaldo35! 🤩🙌

Alejandro #Grimaldo has signed a contract until 2027. ✍️ ¡Bienvenido! ⚫️🔴#Werkself | #HolaGrimaldo 👋

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 15, 2023

Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, added: “Alejandro Grimaldo is an agile, very strong full-back, tactically very well-versed.

“He is goal-dangerous and has a lot of experience and class. We are pleased that we were able to convince Alejandro of our ambitious concept for the coming years.”

Leverkusen are seventh in the Bundesliga and are next in action against Roma in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

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Xabi Alonso's brilliance has got Leverkusen this far - there's no doubt he's going places

(Photo: Getty Images)