Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was officially presented on Friday as a Real Madrid player following his arrival from Manchester United, saying the move meant he had fulfilled a dream.
Van Nistelrooy (30) signed a three-year contract after passing a medical earlier on Friday and was then presented to the media at the Spanish club’s Bernabeu stadium.
The Netherlands international, who cost Real about â,¬15-million, had asked to leave Old Trafford after a series of disagreements with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Van Nistelrooy said: ”It’s a great honour to stand here in the Bernabeu and it is a dream come true.
”Real Madrid is a great club. It’s got history, the greatest players ever have played here, so it’s a great honour on my side.
”When Real come looking for you, you don’t have to think about it because you know they are number one.
”I will try to learn Spanish as quickly as I can because this move means everything for me.
”I want to thank everybody for the confidence and the belief they have shown in me. I will do everything in my ability to play well.”
Real club doctor Alfonso Del Corral said the striker was in fine condition.
”We performed all the tests and verified that he’s perfectly fit after the World Cup. He had a knee operation six years ago in the United States, but has recovered perfectly from that.
”We think that he’s in perfect condition to sign for Real Madrid and have therefore given the player and the operation our okay,” said Del Corral.
Van Nistelrooy had earlier admitted he couldn’t wait to be reunited with former Manchester United teammate David Beckham, who supplied the crosses for many of the Dutchman’s goals during his time with the English Premiership club.
He told Real’s website: ”When Beckham left Manchester United I was very sad both on a personal level and because of the way we connected on the pitch.
”They were wonderful times that I hope will now be repeated in Madrid.”
Van Nistelrooy also said he was confident of creating an effective partnership with Real’s Brazilian striker Ronaldo and added: ”I am dying to play with Ronaldo. He’s fantastic. His scoring numbers speak a thousand words.”
Real finally landed van Nistelrooy at the third attempt after having two previous bids turned down and manager Fabio Capello has been able to make a big impact in the transfer market since his arrival from Juventus earlier this month and had already splashed out on Juve duo Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.
A statement on United’s website thanked Van Nistelrooy and said: ”Manchester United would like to wish Ruud all the best at his new club and thank him for the great service he provided.”
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals for United and is the club’s all-time leading European goal-scorer, had also been targeted by German champions Bayern Munich.
His departure from Old Trafford seemed certain from the moment he fell out with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after a lacklustre display in an FA Cup defeat at Liverpool in February.
The former PSV Eindhoven star, who joined United in 2001 and helped them win the Premiership in 2003, was dropped soon afterwards and his relationship with Ferguson deteriorated to such an extent that the striker walked out of Old Trafford after being told he would not be in the team to play Charlton in May.
Ferguson reacted by telling Van Nistelrooy he would not be welcome at Roy Keane’s testimonial later that month and the Dutchman handed in a transfer request after this summer’s World Cup. — AFP
