Former Atletico Madrid, Axel Witsel is officially a Girona player. The 36-year-old Belgian midfielder, who is comfortable as a holding midfielder or centre-back, has signed a one-season deal with the option for a second year, the club confirmed on August 12, 2025.
Witsel, capped 132 times by Belgium, arrives as Girona’s fourth summer signing after Hugo Rincón, Thomas Lemar, and Vítor Reis.
The announcement came in trademark Girona fashion with a cheeky toy dinosaur photo on social media that even had the footballing community laughing. The Catalan club also dropped an announcement video on their official X account to welcome their latest addition.
Watch the video below:
The veteran was a free agent after leaving Atlético Madrid at the end of last season, where he made 23 appearances, scored twice, and provided one assist. His final goal came in the Club World Cup win over Seattle Sounders, and he will be following Rodrigo de Paul out of Madrid.
Softfootball understands that Witsel reportedly turned down an offer from Serie A side Udinese to stay in Spain, with family reasons and his relationship with Girona boss Míchel Sánchez influencing his decision.
Speaking recently, Míchel had openly called for reinforcements, and Witsel’s signing delivers exactly that Champions League experience and on-field leadership.
Having played for Borussia Dortmund, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Benfica, Witsel brings a wealth of experience to a Girona side preparing for another season in Europe’s elite competition. His arrival is expected to bolster both depth and dressing-room influence, giving the squad a steady hand in high-pressure moments.
Girona’s cheeky unveiling hinted at the fun and confidence surrounding the club, but make no mistake, this signing is about much more than social media buzz. With the Belgian international on board, Míchel has another trusted option for the battles ahead, both in La Liga and in Europe.
