Ruud Completes Real Madrid Move

Joins Madrid
By Chris O'Brien
July 30 2006

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has completed a £10.2million move to Real Madrid. The Dutch international has been unhappy at Old Trafford since being left out of the side which lifted the League Cup at the Millennium Stadium, and is now preparing for a new challenge at the Bernabeu.

It's a done deal - Manchester United have parted company with their most prolific striker in a deal worth an estimated £10.2million.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has joined Real Madrid following a heavily publicised fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson. He leaves Old Trafford having netted a remarkable 150 goals in five superb seasons at the club, and there can be little doubt that his potent attacking threat will be missed.

The 30-year-old was quick to agree personal terms with the La Liga club and successfully came through a medical to complete the move to the Bernabeu. Ruud has penned a three-year deal in Spain and will join former team-mate David Beckham; the duo so successful when they linked up at United.

The Dutch international becomes Real's third summer signing joining Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro and Brazil midfielder Emerson at the club, and he has described the transfer as a "dream move".

"It's a great honour to stand here in the Bernabeu," said the former PSV Eindhoven star. "It's a dream come true and I cannot wait to get started."

Van Nistelrooy always looked likely to leave Old Trafford after being left out of the United side that lifted the League Cup at the Millennium Stadium in February. He then flirted with first-team action and caused a real stir as he stormed away from the Theatre of Dreams ahead of United's final game of the season against Charlton Athletic. Few players survive a rift with Sir Alex, and Real always looked a likely destination for the striker, though they had to fight-off competition from Bayern Munich for the player's signature.

Thank you to Ruud for five seasons excellent service. No supporter will argue that his contribution has been superb and for the majority of his time with the club; he has been delighted to be a United player. We wish him all the best with his new club.