Zidane Relief At Clinching �46m Move
Monday 9th July 2001
Zinedine Zidane joined Real Madrid from Juventus in a world-record �46 million deal on Monday and immediately declared his relief that the transfer saga was over.
"I'm very happy to have signed for the best club in the world. I've been waiting for this moment with a great deal of impatience," he said.
Zidane, who has signed a four-year contract, which includes an option for an additional year, was presented at the Bernabeu holding a No 5 Real shirt with his name across the back.
"It's an honour to come to Real Madrid," he added. "I've had five great years at Juventus, but this is the best time to play in Spain. I'm looking forward to pulling on the white shirt."
The transfer is a personal triumph for Real supremo Florentino Perez, who made signing Zidane his priority for the close season.
"There are players who were born to play for Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane is one of them. I thank Zinedine for coming to Real and sustaining the legend of the club."
The 29-year-old, who played in France's victorious sides at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, will reportedly earn over �3.5 million after tax for each season at Real.
Zidane, who has been holidaying in the United States, was flown to Torrejon, a military airbase close to Madrid, early on Monday. He then had a medical before discussing personal terms with Perez.
Real were in a hurry to close the deal with Juventus as Zidane is due to travel to Moscow on Thursday to lend his support to the Paris bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Juventus initially said the Frenchman was not for sale. But after the player gave his go-ahead to the operation and following a meeting between Perez and directors of the Serie A club, a move was finally agreed.
The midfielder's brother Farid highlighted the role of Perez in the deal. "I believe that Zizou chose Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona because of the president of Real," he declared.
"Perez is a great leader who secured the signing of Luis Figo last season.
"I am sure that the middle of the field will work very well with Zinedine and Figo, along with the other great players they have there like Raul, Roberto Carlos and Fernando Morientes."
