Isco signing confirmed by Real Madrid

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Madrid: Spanish international Isco has joined Real Madrid from Malaga on a five-year deal, the capital club confirmed on Thursday, bringing to an end weeks of hard-fought competition between Europe's top clubs.

"Real Madrid and Malaga have reached an agreement for the transfer of Francisco Roman Alarcon Isco, who will be tied to the club for the next five seasons," said a statement on Madrid's website.

The midfielder, who will reportedly cost around 30 million euros ($39 million, £25.5 million), is set to be presented on July 3 at the Santiago Bernabeu after undergoing a medical.

Isco becomes Madrid's first major signing of the close season and the Spanish giants have fought off strong competition from Manchester City to secure the 21-year-old starlet.

City's appointment of Isco's former coach at Malaga, Manuel Pellegrini, as their new manager had appeared to have given the English side the upper hand in negotiations.

However, Madrid's desperation to seal the player's signature increased after his sterling performances at the under-21 European Championships this month, where he guided Spain to a second consecutive title.

"Dribbling skills, imagination and speed are some of the qualities that define this midfielder, who was awarded the Golden Boy prize in 2012 (for the best young player in Europe), is a recent champion of the U-21 European Championships with Spain and at just 21 has already made his debut for the senior Spanish side," the Real said.

Isco is also the first signing in Carlo Ancelotti's reign as coach and the Italian hailed the youngster's ability when he was formally presented on Wednesday.

"I can only speak about his quality. He is very good, the Spanish under-21 team has great players and he is the one with the most talent. Isco could play in any team."

A product of Valencia's youth system, Isco moved to Malaga just two years ago for six million euros as the Andalusians invested heavily after being taken over by Qatari Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani.

It was this season though in which he rose to prominence after the sale of fellow playmaker Santi Cazorla to Arsenal.

The Spaniard shone as Malaga progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals in their first ever appearance in the competition.

Only two late controversial goals from Borussia Dortmund prevented the Andalusians from reaching the last four.

Malaga's on-going financial problems made another transfer at the end of the campaign inevitable, though.

Isco has chosen to continue his career in Spain despite the intense competition for places at the Bernabeu, with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric and Kaka all vying for places in the creative midfield roles.

REALMADRID FOR THEIR FINAL GOAL

After reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the third year running with a 5-3 aggregate win over Galatasaray AŞ, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuaín stressed the importance of Real Madrid CF going one step further than in 2011 and 2012 – and reaching their first final since 2002. 

There was an acceptance in the Madrid camp that Galatasaray had caused them problems during last night's 3-2 second-leg loss but also an obvious desire to go on and win the trophy. "We know it's difficult but for me it's possible," said Ronaldo of the Merengues' pursuit of a tenth European crown. Ronaldo's two goals, meanwhile, took his tally for this season's tournament to 11 – a record for a Madrid player in the UEFA Champions League.

RONALDO`S FIGHT

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid, aiming to become kings of Europe for the 10th time, foiled a dramatic fightback by Galatasaray on Tuesday to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Ronaldo, top scorer in the competition, took his goal tally for the season to 11 to make sure that Jose Mourinho's side went through to the last four 5-3 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 3-2 in Istanbul.

Mourinho praised the passionate support generated by the home crowd and the spirit of the Galatasaray players.

"We always want to play in an atmosphere like the one in the stadium tonight," he told reporters. "I don't think our players were affected by it but the Turkish players were really affected.

"They used the atmosphere in the second half and played a fantastic match. They were knocked out but if only all clubs would go out in the same fashion - they put their heart and pride into it."

Real went ahead on the night when Ronaldo slid the ball in from two metres following a low cross from the right by Sami Khedira after seven minutes.

real madrid semi-finals

Galatasaray AŞ have it all to do to prevent Real Madrid CF's José Mourinho from maintaining his 100% record at this stage of the UEFA Champions League and making it to his seventh semi-final.

REALMADRID

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain was the man of the match as a late flurry of goals gave Real Madrid a 5-1 win over Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium here.

Higuain opened the scoring with a magnificent volley and set Cristiano Ronaldo up to make it 3-1 with just six minutes left to play Saturday night, before two late goals from Mesut Ozil gave a sheen to the final score that the game perhaps didn't deserve, reports Xinhua.

Jose Mourinho went into the game with his attention firmly fixed on his side's Champions League quarterfinal return leg away to Galatasaray and although Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso, who are both suspended for that game were in the side, others such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sami Khedira and Rafael Varene were all rested.

Madrid controlled possession against a side that was quite content to sit deep and defend 30 yards from goal and without Ronaldo the home side lacked the potential to surprise with a shot from distance.

christiano ronaldo

REAL MADRID 3-0 GALATASARAY

There were smiles all around for Real Madrid CF's players as they emerged from their 3-0 victory against Galatasaray AŞ. As important as netting three times against their Turkish counterparts was, keeping a first clean sheet in this season's UEFA Champions League also brought plenty of satisfaction to Los Merengues who are now strong favourites to reach a third successive semi-final, but they know there is work to do next Tuesday in Istanbul.

real madrid vs Galatasaray

christino ronaldo

CHRISTIANO RONALDO

Real Madrid`s coach Jose Mourinho is hoping his goal-shy team rediscover their goal-scoring form in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final  against Turkish giants Galatasaray on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo kept up his imperious form with his 43rd goal of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw away at Real Zaragoza, but the lack of goals from other areas of the pitch concerns Mourinho.

"maybe that is one of the differences this season," he said.

GREATNESS OF RONALDO

Mesut ozil: ''Cristiano is a great friend. If I go into the locker room and forget to say Bismillah, he often comes to me and says, Mesut, you forgot to say Bismillah "
Though he isn't a Muslim, but he respects the religion.

CHRISTIANO RONALDO FOR EVER

REAL MADRID VS PSG

REAL MADRID IS TO PLAY FRIENDLY MATCH WITH PSG ON JULY 27th

Realmadrid will play a friendly against paris saint germain on july 27 in gothenburg swedrn match organisers confirmed wednesday

"its a dream come true to welcome real madrid to sweden.no one knows whatthey will be back again"said affe akbari the managing director of organising sports and eventing 

gothenbrg hosted a friendly between barcilona and manchister united last august in which the match ended with draw

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid failed to extend their 7-games winning streak and dropped another two points in an away fixture in La Liga. José Mourinho has set his priorities for the UEFA Champions League a long time ago and is trusting on his players' capabilities to turn their competitiveness switch on and off, as the circumstances demand for it. This Saturday night, most of the team had clearly turned that switch off and when that happens, the Merengues usually struggle to get the win, regardless of the opponent they have ahead...

Zaragoza started the game with a clear intention of making a statement as early as possible. Contrarily to the Merengues, the league continues being the home side's top priority, a fact that normally dictates a completely different attitude and mindset, which ends up making all the difference on the pitch.

Real Madrid failed to extend their 7-games winning streak and dropped another two points in an away fixture in La Liga. José Mourinho has set his priorities for the UEFA Champions League a long time ago and is trusting on his players' capabilities to turn their competitiveness switch on and off, as the circumstances demand for it. This Saturday night, most of the team had clearly turned that switch off and when that happens, the Merengues usually struggle to get the win, regardless of the opponent they have ahead...

Zaragoza started the game with a clear intention of making a statement as early as possible. Contrarily to the Merengues, the league continues being the home side's top priority, a fact that normally dictates a completely different attitude and mindset, which ends up making all the difference on the pitch.

casillas left real madrid

Madrid: Real Madrid have left out goalkeeper and former captain Iker Casillas for Saturday's Primera Liga clash against Zaragoza.

Casillas has been back in full training for a week after recovering from a broken bone in his left hand, reports Xinhua.

Casillas had been expected to be included in the squad with the big question whether or not he would go into the first team ahead of Diego Lopez, who was bought from Sevilla in January. Lopez was brought in as a cover for injured Casillas.

"He (Casillas) was passed fit a week ago but he has not been passed as fit to compete. That is why he has not been called up," said Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka.

who will be the best goalkeeper

ONLY eight teams remain and after the drama of the round of 16, expect plenty more on UEFA.com's Matchday Live show in the quarter-finals.

On Tuesday,  we will hear from Paris Saint Germain FC's new playmaker Lucas ahead of full match commentary of their home encounter against FC Barcelona, with updates from FC Bayern München's meeting with Juventus.

Considering the brilliant goalkeepers in action on Tuesday – Manuel Neuer, Víctor Valdés, Gianluigi Buffon and Salvatore Sirigu – we have been debating in the office about who is the greatest UEFA Champions League custodian of all time and why. What do you think?

EL CLASICO

top goals by christiano ronaldo

christiano ronaldo`s reaction after the victory against manchister united

The Portuguese international, the recipient of such a warm ovation before kick-off as the stadium announcer welcomed him back, scored the close-range goal that completed Madrid's turnaround after substitute Luka Modrić had cancelled out the lead given Manchester United FC by a Sergio Ramos own goal early in the second half.

United's hopes were not helped by the dismissal of Nani for a high challenge on Álvaro Arbeloa with the score at 1-0, and Madrid duly made the ten men pay to complete a memorable week that had already included two victories over FC Barcelona.

It was United who had the better of an absorbing opening period. Sir Alex Ferguson had raised eyebrows before kick-off by leaving Wayne Rooney out of his lineup, yet Danny Welbeck, starting behind Robin van Persie, certainly justified his inclusion. The evergreen Ryan Giggs also featured, lasting the duration of his 1,000th competitive appearance for United.