Zidane Makes World Record Move To Real Madrid
MADRID, July 9 (Reuters)(DS) - Zinedine Zidane said he had joined Real
Madrid from Juventus on Monday after signing a record-breaking deal
worth up to 500 million francs ($64.45 million).
"I can officially confirm that I have signed a four-year contract with
Real Madrid wich includes an option for an additional year for between
480 and 500 million francs," said France's World Player of the Year on
his personal website.
"The transfer will not, however, be completely closed until a fax from
Juventus has been received confirming the transaction," Zidane added.
It was the second time within the space of a year that the Spanish club
had smashed the world transfer record. Last year, Real paid $56.1
million to buy Portugal midfielder Luis Figo out of his contract with
arch-rivals Barcelona.
Reports suggest the 29-year-old, who played in France's victorious sides
at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, will earn 1,000 million pesetas
($5.08 million) after tax for each season at Real Madrid. The midfielder
flew in to the military airbase of Torrejon close to Madrid in a private
jet on Sunday evening and underwent a medical on Monday morning.
Real were in a hurry to close the deal with the Serie A club as Zidane
is due to travel to Moscow on Thursday to lend his support to the Paris
bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. Ever since taking over the post last
summer, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has made no secret of his
desire to buy Zidane.
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, the move to the Spanish
club was finally agreed. Perez met Juventus directors in Switzerland at
the beginning of last week, when they agreed the world record fee that
will enable the Frenchman to play for the eight-times European champions
next season.
($1=7.758 French Franc)
($1=196.80 Peseta)
