Brazilian star Robinho signs with Real Madrid
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-07-22 18:32

Real Madrid have agreed to sign Santos striker Robinho for 24 million Euro.

The 21-year-old is one of the world's most exciting players and was an ever-present in the Brazil team which won June's Confederations Cup in Germany.

Santos had been demanding a $50 million penalty to release the player, who has a contract with them until 2008.

But Robinho's agent Wagner Ribeiro said the player had agreed to waive the 40 percent to which he was entitled, which accounts for the shortfall of nearly $21 million.

The Santos striker, who burst on to the scene as an 18-year-old when he helped the club to win their first Brazilian championship, has been the subject of speculation over a move to Real for the best part of a year.

Robinho has also been linked with Benfica, PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal and Chelsea.

His trickery, ball skills and physique have often led to comparisons with Pele, who spent most of his career at Santos, although the youngster has yet to be fully tested against the world's top defenders.

Robinho has been at loggerheads with Santos since the end of the Confederations Cup when he bade farewell to the supporters and said he was close to signing a deal with Real.

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira accused the Spaniards of approaching the player without his club's consent and said a deal would only de done if the $50 million penalty was paid.

But, after returning to Brazil, Robinho defied orders to go back to the club and missed 12 training sessions and three matches.

Teixeira went on holiday to Miami and, when he returned, media reports said he refused to meet a Real delegation who had travelled to Santos.

Spanish media reported earlier on Thursday that Robinho had undergone a medical check-up at a clinic in Sao Paulo before signing for Real.

Sports daily Marca said he was subjected to a battery of tests under the supervision of Joaquim Grava and Real's chief of medical staff Alfonso del Corral.

Robinho made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Bolivia last year and scored his first goal in a friendly against Hong Kong in February.

He has made 12 international appearances, scoring four goals.

Real are now in China on a pre-season tour.

Close

Reds kick off their Hongkong tour Real stars in Beijing Real Madrid stars in town

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
China abolishes yuan-dollar peg, adopts floating rate         US$3.1b deals inked to buy 20 Airbus A330s         London hit again by terror blasts         China affirms 'no first use' nuke policy         Ship sinks, 9 Chinese missing off Japan coast         Power plants pushed to boiling point	Liu Xiang ranks 10th on IAAF list       China fails to defend 1m board title       Nadal makes record on clay       New Zealand beats China 90-69 at basketball cup       Another football talent goes abroad       Real Madrid sign Robinho for $30 million