Real Madrid

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos signed a two-year contract extension with the Spanish champions on Wednesday.

Spain international Ramos, hugely influential in Madrid winning its first Primera Liga title in four years last season, is tied to the club until 2013.

The 21-year-old moved to the Bernabeu from Sevilla in September 2005.

Striker Roberto Soldado also signed a new deal, which will keep him at Madrid until 2012.

Soldado spent last season at Osasuna, scoring 14 goals in a loan spell.

Earlier on Wednesday, Christoph Metzelder signed for Madrid from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer.

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"I'm going to do everything possible to make the fans enjoy my football"

I'm very happy. This is a great day for me. I'm going to join one of the most important entities in the world. I hope we have a great season next year. Negotiations with the Club started a long time ago. I've always wanted to come here. It's easy to reach an agreement when both parties are interested."
"I want my first contact to be with the Club's Board Members, followed by the coaching staff and my new teammates. I would like to stay here a long time and to play as much as possible in order to prove what I can do. You earn good results by working well."

"I am psychologically prepared to start this new stage in my career. I must forget about the past and start anew at this great Club. This is a very demanding institution."

"I knew some people wouldn't want me here at first as soon as I started negotiating with the Club. I've always wanted to join an important institution such as this one. I wish Barcelona's President had made those comments about me to my face as opposed to the press, but these things happen all the time. I am grateful to Barcelona, but I know want to focus on Real Madrid. I will do my best to please the fans with my football."

On Friday, Javier Saviola will have his medical check-up, sign his contract with Real Madrid and will be officially presented as the Club's latest signing.

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"I will be a humble player"

How did you feel when you first heard Real Madrid were interested in you?
I felt very happy when I found out. I immediately told my agent to say that I was available for the Club. My family and I are very happy with me joining Real Madrid.
Would you have paid 30 million euros for a player like yourself?
I'm not going to comment on that. Real Madrid is a very big and very important Club that look closely at players throughout the season and know what they're doing. They have faith in me and I am going to do my best to pay them back for that trust.

You are practically an unknown player here in Spain. Could you please tell us what your special characteristics are?
I work hard every week. I'm fast and strong. I have won two Portuguese League titles. I know the Spanish League is different, but I'm going to work hard to do well here.



Do you consider yourself as the team's 'third' centre back?
I don't consider myself as being the team's 'third' centre back. I'm going to work very hard and I am always going to be a humble player. It will be up to the coach to decide what to do, but I promise you all that I am going to sweat this shirt.

Do you think you may feel pressure from the fans because of the money you've cost?
It is good to feel pressure. Real Madrid are a great Club, with a lot of history behind them, and it is a great responsibility to play for them. I am going to do my best at all times.

The President said earlier that you are the 'perfect defender'...
As I said before, Real Madrid are a great Club. They study every player closely throughout the season before making a decision.

When did you first hear Real Madrid were interested in you? Have you spoken to Schuster yet?
I was in Holland with Porto when I received a call from the Club in Portugal telling me that I had to go back because something important for me had happened. When I returned they told me Real Madrid were interested in me. I spoke to Schuster a couple of days ago and I promised him I was going to work very hard.

Are you still thinking about playing for the Portuguese national team?
Yes I am. It is a country that has always been very good to me. I have spoken to Scolari several times before and he knows that I want to play for them, so now it's just a matter of him calling me up to join the squad.

Your transfer fee was very expensive, but your salary will be lower here than at Porto. Do you think that's fair?
I'm very happy with what I'm earning.

Were other teams interested in you? If so, why did you chose to join Real Madrid?
Everyone knows I had other offers, but my dream was to join Real Madrid. This dream has now come true. I want to be very successful here.

How did you get the name Pepe?
When I was a kid I was very short and they used to call me Pepinho. I then grew much taller and they changed it to Pepe.

Which position would you prefer to play in?
I will do as Schuster says because he will call the shots. I wouldn't mind playing in the centre or down the left or the right wings.

What do you think of Spanish football?
Spanish football is very special and I personally like it very much. I think people here are going to get to know me very well.

Your fellow Porto teammate Quaresma may sign for Atletico Madrid. Do you see him playing here in Spain?
Porto have proved to breed excellent players. I am no coach or Board Member, so I don't know where he will go. It's not up to me to decide or think about these things. My job is to play well for my team.

The first League match next season will be against Atletico Madrid, a very special fixture in this country. Do you know about the importance of such a clash? All eyes will be on you...
I know it's a derby and derbies are always important. Making my League debut in such a game is the best thing that could happen to me. I find such pressure very stimulating.

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"I would like one Schuster on my team, but not two"

Bernd Schuster has just begun a crucial new step in his career, and even perhaps in his life. In an interview with Spanish daily El Mundo, the German coach pointed out that "Madrid must have an unmistakable style and be in control both on and off the pitch. There's no other choice."





Do you remember the «Mr. Bernardo, good evening,» by José María García?
Of course [laughs]. I still don’t care what you call me. I’ve been here long enough.
Back in the 1980’s, you had some run-ins with Presidents and coaches. You were always a rebel. Why did you become a coach? Why make the move from taking orders to giving them?
They are the stages of life. However, because I argued with Presidents and coaches doesn’t mean that I didn’t believe in professional football or team rules. I never had issues with my teammates; on the contrary. I didn’t agree with decisions that I saw would affect the team and football.

Is one of the duties of a firm coach to hold back the personalities of players like you?
A coach needs to make the most of this footballers' personalities. Focusing on each's character to get the best from him is the correct thing to do. I have always been the same. I have always had a strong personality, or whatever you want to call it. Do you know who I never had a problem with? With coaches who had the strongest personalities. I never had run ins with Menotti, Aragonés, or Beenhakker, for example.



Do you have a Schuster on your Madrid?
No. I would like one Schuster on my team, but not two.

Isn't Guti enough?
I have always had my eye on him, and I see myself reflected in him now that I have him here. He's not a carbon copy of me, of course, but he does have some things that remind me of myself. He might be a key player.

Don't you think promising good football was a little risky? ?
No I don't. There's no other answer for Real Madrid fans. What I said is that we will try. What I do know is that I have the players to accomplish what I want. With all my respect and affection for Levante and Getafe, to use them as examples, here I have a variety of options that there I didn't used have.

Think about two bad games and the Bernabéu chanting: «Capello, Capello!»...
I can't imagine two bad games. It hasn't even crossed my mind.

Is one of the keys to your success that fact that you've maintained your argumentative, bad kid image?
I think so, although I don't know how long I can keep it up.

Is that because you've gotten yourself into a situation reserved for adults?
Madrid is one of the most important places in the world for sports. I've come here from places that are very far away footballistically-speaking, but I don't feel at all frightened. I want normalcy, and normalcy is winning matches and people going to bed after enjoying a little football. We won't be the first team or the first Madrid to win games and put on a show at the same time. And the reason that I don't insist on winning is as simple as the fact that it's a given for me. This is Madrid and winning is its middle name.



At the end of the day, winning should be less of an effort in your case.
Why do you say that?

What was that saying that football is an 11 on 11 sport and the German always wins?
That may be the case; not with one German, but rather and team full of Germans [laughs].

Speaking of fans and good taste, will there be a Madrid just for the Bernabéu and another for the road?
We can't even think about that. When I say that the fans have to have fun watching their Madrid, I'm also referring to the millions of Madridistas who watch games on television and the members who don't have the chance to travel with the team. Real Madrid must have an unmistakable style and play well and with elegance. Madrid must be in control both on and off the pitch. There's no other choice.

A big challenge for you having come from teams where the wind would blow the other way.
True. What happened was that all my teams, not matter how small they were, always counted on that. Here at Real Madrid I have a huge variety to try everything that I used to attempt with other Clubs where there was a lot less to choose from.

Aren't you a little worried that the left side of the pitch is still uncovered?
Yes. I hope we find the answer soon. A player like Robben is essential in that position because its all about a specific player. What I don't want to have to do is use a right-footed player on the left. I don't like players ‘switching feet.’

What's happening with Drenthe?
He is also necessary. We want him for the left-back spot, but signing him is complicated.

Do you have the diversity you want for the attack?
Well, Robinho still isn't back yet. I have a good feeling about him. Let's see if he really takes off this year.



Why is everyone going crazy with centre-backs this year? They are the star signings of the season.
They're in style. They may be in heavy demand this year, but it won't always be like this. Having the house protected is great, but you can't always sign midfielders and forwards. We tried to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, and Cesc this summer, but all were impossible.

What do you have planned for Raúl?
He's a very important player and I know he has a lot to contribute. He needs to go back to being a specialist.

He said that he doesn't have a guaranteed spot.
And that's the case. The only person who has his spot locked up is Casillas, and we've got our backs well-covered with Dudek.

How would you like your time as coach of Real Madrid to be remembered?
I'd like something like this: ‘The team played so well with him, and he was so firm with the squad.’

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"We have built a great team"

The President of Real Madrid confirmed Schuster is "delighted" with the squad, but he didn't rule out any future signings. Calderón talked about the Club's interest in Robben, Drenthe and José Antonio Reyes. He expects the latter's current situation to be resolved shortly in order to have him rejoin the squad as soon as possible.






"The coach is very happy with the squad. He is delighted. I also spoke with Raúl and he said the same. The players are very excited and I believe we have built a proper team. Guti said it very well when he pointed out that the Club used to sign stars and now it signs players it really needs. This proves the Board is working hard to change the team from being a group of successful veterans to a young team. The squads average age will be 24."
"We had a standard Board meeting this morning in which we approved the Club's expenses and economic situation and I have to say that we are doing better than ever in this aspect. This proves we are managing the entity well and that the Club is strong enough to make strong investments."



ROBBEN
"We are still negotiating. Those dealing with his signing are doing a great job and I hope we eventually get him to join us. We can't say anything until we reach a deal. We want to pay a reasonable prize and to be offered good terms."

"His Club has to decide to sell him first. Once that happens there will be no problems to discuss the player's contract."

DRENTHE
"We will have to wait a few days to see what happens, but I trust our men are doing a good job."

REYES
"We want him to stay with us under terms we have already tendered to Arsenal. They simply have to decide to transfer him to us for the amount of money we are willing to pay."

INIESTA
"We never even approached him. He is a Barcelona player. If we were interested in him I would contact President Laporta personally first. He is an exceptional player, but we never thought about signing him. Our squad is practically complete."

BAPTISTA
"His future will have to be decided by the coach and the Sporting Director. We can't confirm anything to this day."

PATO
"He is a very young player and we are keeping an eye on him. I think that the squad will be complete if we sign one of the three players we are trying to get [Robben, Drenthe and Reyes]."

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Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster says his side "needs" Chelsea's Dutch international winger Arjen Robben who has two years left on his contract with the London club.

"It is clear that since the beginning the problem was on the left side where we only have a defender and not a striker. Robben interests us, we need him," the Web site of sports daily Marca quoted him as saying in Germany.

Spanish sports daily AS has reported that Real is willing to pay up 20 million euros (27 million US dollars) for the 23-year-old who is unhappy with his terms at Chelsea.


Robben has been in long drawn-out negotiations with Chelsea over a contract extension until 2012 but has not always been in favour with the club's Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho.

Schuster also said he believes it is just a matter of time before they sign Brazilian star Kaka from Italian side AC Milan.

"I am sure he will play at Real Madrid," he said, adding the Spanish champions have wanted the 25-year-old player since last year.

"The president and the sports director insist on signing him and if it does not happen this year it will be next year," he said.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has put Kaka, who was inspirational in Milan's Champions League triumph last season, on the top of his wish list.

Marca reported Monday that Real are set to offer AC Milan a record 90 million euros for Kaka, who is under contract with the Italian side until June 2011.

The biggest transfer in football history so far was that of Zinedine Zidane when he signed for Real Madrid from Italian side Juventus in 2001 for 75 million euros.

Real Madrid are in Germany where they face Hanover in an exhibition match on Tuesday night before heading to Russia where they will play another friendly in Moscow. The team is scheduled to return to Madrid on August 5.

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Real Madrid have agreed to sign Dutch wing-back Royston Drenthe from Feyenoord on a five-year contract, the Spanish champions said on Thursday.

The Dutch Under-21 international, who can play at left-back or in midfield, becomes Real's fifth signing of the close season under new coach Bernd Schuster.

Spanish media reported the deal had been closed for around 14 million euros ($19.29 million).

Drenthe was one of the outstanding players on show at the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands in June, as he helped the Dutch retain their title.

The speedy player, who should slot in to replace former left-back Roberto Carlos, joins defenders Christoph Metzelder and Pepe, Argentine striker Javier Saviola and Polish goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek as Real's new recruits.

Drenthe's Dutch compatriot Arjen Robben of Chelsea is also on the Real shopping list.

Real travel to play Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Saturday.

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Real Madrid have reached agreement in principle with Dutch side Ajax to sign midfielder Wesley Sneijder for 25 million euros (34 million dollars), Spanish daily Marca reported Saturday.

The Spanish champions are offering a five-year contract to the 23-year-old international who has yet to make a decision on the move.

If the contract goes through Sneijder will be Real's second Dutch recruit this season after confirmation of the arrival of midfielder Royston Drenthe from Feyenoord on a five-year deal.

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Real Madrid agree deal with Ajax for Sneijder

Ajax Amsterdam have accepted a 27 million euro ($36.98 million) offer from Spanish champions Real Madrid for midfielder Wesley Sneijder, the Dutch club said on Sunday.

Real confirmed the move, saying the 23-year-old Netherlands international, who has played 180 matches and scored 57 goals for Ajax, would sign a five-year contract with the club.

Sneijder, capped 35 times by the Netherlands, will join fellow Dutchman Royston Drenthe at Spanish champions.

Drenthe, a 20-year-old left back who can also play on the wing, arrived in Madrid on Sunday to complete a 14-million euro move from Feyenoord.
"I couldn't say no to a club of the magnitude of Real Madrid," Drenthe was quoted as saying by Real Madrid TV on his arrival at Madrid airport.

The signings of Sneijder and Drenthe will bring Real's Dutch contingent to three players, striker Ruud van Nistelrooy having joined the club last season from Manchester United.

With the addition of the two Dutchmen, Real will have signed six new players since coach Fabio Capello was sacked after steering the club to the league title last season.

Centre backs Christoph Metzelder and Pepe, goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek and striker Javier Saviola have already joined the club who are now coached by former German international Bernd Schuster.

Real lost 1-0 to King's Cup winners Sevilla in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Saturday and play the return at the Bernabeu next Sunday.
They begin the defence of their league title at home to city rivals Atletico Madrid on the weekend of August 25-26. (Additional reporting by Theo Ruizenaar in the Netherlands)