Real Betis present Facundo Bernal, Fran García, Diego Conde as first Champions League signings

Facundo Bernal, Fran García, and Diego Conde officially unveiled at Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol

By MIGUEL Á. MORÁN Updated: 24/07/2026 - 13:41 CEST

Facundo Bernal, Fran García, and Diego Conde — the first three signings of Real Betis for the 2026-27 season — were officially presented this Friday in the 'lounge' room of the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol. Club president Ángel Haro and director of professional football Manu Fajardo welcomed the reinforcements as the summer market begins.

"We are facing a historic season; it had been 21 years since we last qualified for the Champions League and, therefore, all of us who are part of the club will have to give our maximum. It will be an exciting season, but also demanding. On the sporting front, our goal is to compete again to be in Europe and for that we have players like those who accompany us today," said president Ángel Haro.

Haro detailed each signing:

• Facundo Bernal — A 22-year-old Uruguayan midfielder who made the leap to Brazil and now to Europe with Betis. "He has excellent reports from the sports management and technical secretariat. I am sure you will do well in a position that is key for us."
• Fran García — A well-known player who has featured for Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid, and played in the Champions League. "He occupies a position we need; he is a player who comes to be important and has excellent references both sporting and personal."
• Diego Conde — A 27-year-old goalkeeper from Madrid. "The goal is one of the positions that has undergone the most changes at Betis. We need a reliable player and Diego meets the requirements to be the goalkeeper of Real Betis Balompié."

Facundo Bernal: A Positional 'Five'

The Uruguayan midfielder described his playing style: "I am a positional five who can also play as a mixed midfielder. I think I can bring a lot of dynamism to the midfield, as well as aggression and clean play coming out from the back. Those are my characteristics and I also contribute a lot on a personal level."

Fran García: A Guaranteed Signing

The full-back from La Mancha spoke about his commitment to Betis: "We already know what the League is, what it means to arrive at a club like Betis. From the moment you walk through the door you see how big the club is, the camaraderie there is, not a single bad face, on the contrary, everyone is willing to help, to make you feel comfortable."

He also mentioned former Real Madrid teammate Álvaro Fidalgo, who appeared in his welcome video, and Isco: "With Isco, before it became official, he did recommend me to come here, that it was an incredible club, that both the entity and the teammates who are at the club day to day are something wonderful. The first moment you walk through the door you realize that."

Diego Conde: Fajardo's Firm Bet

The goalkeeper was a quick and firm bet by Manu Fajardo and the Sports Directorate as soon as Pau López announced his decision to terminate his contract to leave for Andorra. Conde shared his experience of arriving at Betis: "From the first moment you arrive you realize the magnitude at all levels that it has."

Related links:

• Diego Conde, new Betis goalkeeper until 2027: arrives on loan with purchase option
• Transfer market | Signings, departures and latest news, live today...