OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Sign Raul Albiol From Valencia
The young stopper is set to pen a five-year deal at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have officially confirmed the signing of defender Raul Albiol from Valencia on a five-year contract.
The centre-back, who has been on duty with Spain in the Confederations Cup, will be officially presented next week after undergoing a medical and formally signing his deal.
Los Merengues made the news official with a statement on their club website and Valencia quickly followed suit with a similar announcement that a deal had been agreed.
"Real Madrid and Valencia CF have reached an agreement for the transfer of the player Raul Albiol, an accord that will come into effect next week after the usual medical and the signing of a contract by the player," Madrid's notice read.
"The international defender, aged 23, will sign for the club for the next five seasons and will be presented next week."
Valencia's statement was similar in tone, but los Che did wish the player good luck in his new surroundings at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"The club want to highlight the exemplary behaviour that Albiol has had throughout his time at Valencia and the club would like to wish the best of luck in the new chapter in his career."
Born in the Valencia region, Albiol rose through the ranks at Mestalla and broke into the first team after recovering from a car accident in 2004.
A loan spell at Getafe went well and he stepped up to become a regular in the Che outfit, while representing Spain at Under-19, Under-20, Under-21 and now full international level.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
For all the latest transfer news visit Goal.com's Transfer Zone.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
-
VERTELNEY: MLS owners take to Twitter to spread their team's word
"Any time you tweet, it's a mini press conference," says Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson.
