Official – Real Madrid sign Arbeloa

Real Madrid continued their spending spree with the capture of Spanish full-back Alvaro Arbeloa from Liverpool. Europe’s greatest spenders have agreed a fee of about £3.5million for the 26 yeear old. Arbeloa travelled to Madrid on Wednesday where he signed a 5-year contract. Arbeloa who was part of last summer’s successful Euro 2008-winning Spanish squad, was on Madrid’s books as a youngster before moving to Deportivo La Coruna in 2006, and then onto Liverpool six months later. He played 66 times for Liverpool scoring twice in the bargain. The 26-year-old is the third player from the Madrid youth academy to be brought back to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after Alvaro Negredo and Esteban Granero.

Madrid’s medical chief Carlos Diez told his club’s website: “He (Arbeloa) has undergone a standard examination and the results of all the tests are very satisfactory.

“He is delighted to be able to play for Real Madrid, which has been his lifelong dream. He’s looking forward to joining his team-mates.”

Rumors suggest that Liverpool are also on the verge of losing Xabi Alonso to the Spanish giants. If Xabi transfers to Spain, Bentiez would turn his attention towards Lee Cattermole for the midfield role. Liverpool are also tracking Hull defender Michael Turner.

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