BREAKING NEWS OFFICIAL: Real Madrid Sign Stuttgart Midfielder Sami Khedira
Khedira is set to sign a contract with Real Madrid after undergoing a medical...
Bundesliga side Stuttgart have confirmed the departure of holding midfielder Sami Khedira to Real Madrid. A report in Bild claims that the Blancos have agreed a fee of €14 million for the services of the Germany international. However, Stuttgart have not disclosed any details about the transfer fee.
The 23-year-old midfielder had already agreed personal terms with Madrid on Wednesday and will sign a five-year deal with the Merengues after undergoing a medical.
"Sami Khedira is a true leader on the pitch and he personifies everything that Stuttgart stand for. Therefore, it's not easy to let go of him," said Stuttgart sporting director Fredi Bobic on the official Stuttgart website.
"However, on the other hand, we couldn't deny Sami his dream move to Real Madrid. We'd like to wish him all the best at his new club."
Khedira had attracted the interest of Real Madrid with his excellent performances for Germany at the 2010 World Cup and was since continually being linked with a move to the Spanish powerhouse.
The midfielder is a product of the Stuttgart youth academy and has made over 100 official appearances for the Schwaben since making his debut in October 2006.
Angel Di Maria Completes €25m Transfer To Real Madrid
Argentina international Angel di Maria has completed his move to Real Madrid from Benfica for a reported fee of €25m, signing a six-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The exciting 22-year old has been consistently linked with a switch to the Spanish capital, with the player confirming to his former Benfica team-mates that the deal was all but done.
Publication AS comments that newly appointed los Blancos coach, Jose Mourinho, had expressly asked for the signature of the flying winger, who is currently representing his nation at the World Cup in South Africa.
Assisted by the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, Real Madrid and Benfica reached an agreement for a fee of €25m, which is €15m less than the buy-out clause in di Maria’s contract.
However, in the wake of As Aguias’ chairman Luis Filipe Vieira disclosing in a TV interview that di Maria would be leaving the club in next few days, it is reported that the deal has now been competed.
Di Maria began his career in 2005 in his homeland with Rosario Central. He moved to Portugal in 2007, and in his final season at the Estadio da Luz he helped Benfica to their first league title in five seasons.
Now, he becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing as Real Madrid bid to halt Barcelona from winning their third consecutive Primera Division title.
It appears that the first Albiceleste reinforcement of the season will be heading across the pond and bulking up Capello’s squad at the White House.
River Plate striking star Gonzalo Higuaín, recently involved in a minor imbroglio that saw him side with Argentina over his native France, is now a Real Madrid player.
Ramón Calderón appears to have sealed the deal for around 13 million Euros, 2 million higher than the Merengue President had intended to spend, but considered a necessary outlay to rejuvenate the ageing Real Madrid attack.
The extra effort was seen as worthwhile as Higuaín comes equipped with EU passport unlike recent Flu signing Marcelo.
Gonzalo Higuaín will arrive in Madrid after the New Year, donning a Real Madrid jersey for the next six and a half years.
After losing the Apertura tournament with River arch-rivals Boca Juniors, midfielder Fernando Gago is hoped to be next in line.
Fans have taken certain declarations against the player and President Maurício Macri will be more amenable to a reasonable sale.
Dynamo Kyiv 2-2 Real Madrid:Two Ronaldo goals in the last five minutes level an otherwise dire match
REAL MADRID VS DINAMO KYIV Video Highlights
Matchday 6 of the Champions League had little riding on it for Real Madrid and their opponent, Dynamo Kyiv. With the Whites already through to the Last 16 of the competition, and the Ukrainians playing for pride in this campaign, Fabio Capello used the match as a screening test for several members of the Castilla youth squad. In a relatively lackluster performance by both sides, Ronaldo was able to score his first two goals in Europe in two years to draw the match moments before the final whistle.
As expected, there were several new faces in coach Fabio Capello's starting lineup for Wednesday's Champions Legue match against Dynamo Kyiv. With Beckham initially sticking to the left flank, three Real Madrid youth team players made their 2006 European debut. Torres joined Mejía in the centre of the defence, De la Red occupied the centre of the midfield with Diarra with Nieto along the right, and Cassano and Ronaldo led the attack. With a spot in next round already a lock, it was the perfect match for the Italian manager to experiment, regardless of the final score.
With nothing more resting on the match for the Whites, and a Dynamo squad playing for pride and to warm up their fans on a frigid Ukraine night, the final Champions League game of 2006 got underway with the Madridistas the more decisive side. They had to get used to the field conditions as quickly as possible, and Real Madrid looked to touch the ball as frequently as they could. Rubén de la Red had the first effort on goal with a long strike just six minutes in, but the youngster didn't manage to get direction on the shot.
Dynamo strike first Dynamo Kyiv continued pressuring and created several dangerous threats in the last third of the pitch. Real Madrid's defence and midfield were porous at best, and the home side took advantage. First, a quick counterattack in minute 11, and then the first goal of the match two minutes later. Madrid lowered their intensity, and there was no one covering themself in glory. A cross from the left flank found Shatskikh's boot and sailed by Diego López.
Youngsters play well Down one, the players -decked out in away black- reacted. Capello changed tactics and Nieto and Beckham swapped wings. The Englishman also played a more central role in attack, and one of his balls found Cassano, who had beaten the offside trap and looked to lift it over the keeper, but Shovkovskiy made an exceptional save. Moments earlier, a pacey, skillful Nieto had made a confident run along the right wing. The youth teamer loves to take on the opponent and was very active on both flanks. The same goes for Torres in the centre of the defence. The men from Real Madrid Castilla were rising to the opportunity.
But the game wasn't shaping up and even took a turn for the worst when Shatskikh struck home his second of the night. Dynamo caught Diego López in no man's land, but the Madridista keeper got back in time to make a good save. Unfortunately for Casillas' backup, the ricochet ended up in the back of the net. Salgado and Ronaldo tried to cut into the lead to no avail. There was no one in the middle or up front, and there were no options nor any outlets.
Madrid come back After 15 minutes to clear their heads and reorganise, Ronaldo looked just as determined to lead the turnaround as he did against Athletic Bilbao. The Brazilian had given glimmers of his recovery with a couple of individuals plays in the first half, and in the second he set Beckham up perfectly with a back-heel. It was a great effort by the Englishman which struck the post. Both teams pressed on with lots of ambition. Diego López was forced to make a save on what could have been Kyiv's third of the night, and then a well constructed play by Real Madrid ended with a good shot by Roberto Carlos, but Nieto was unable to find the rebound. Two Ronaldo goals in two minutes drew the match in the waning moments of the game. The Brazilian now has three scores in two matches, which bodes well for a Real Madrid side who travel to Sevilla in League play on Saturday.
MATCH REPORT: 2 – DYNAMO KYIV: Shovkovskiy; Markovic, Rodrigo, Rodolfo, Nesmachniy; Gusev, Yssuf, Mikhalik, Belkevich; Milevskiy (Rotan 84’) and Shatskikh. 2 – REAL MADRID Casillas; Salgado, Mejía, Torres, Roberto Carlos; Beckham, Diarra, De la Red (Javi García 69’), Nieto (Valero 68’); Cassano and Ronaldo. GOALS: 1-0, min. 13: Shatskikh strikes good ball crossed in from left wing. 2-0, min. 27: Shatskikhbeats Diego López off ricochet. 2-1, min. 86: Ronaldo sends ball into net after lovely flick on by Javi García. 2-2, min. 88: Ronaldo penalty kick. REFEREE: Michael Riley (England). Yellow cards to Rodrigo (28’) and Ronaldo (36’). NOTES: Matchday 6 of the group stage of the Champions League.
Match summary by Luis Navarro Photos by Ángel Martínez Special correspondents to Kyiv, Ukraine Translation by Matthew Goltz
