Dutch soccer players Royston Drenthe and Wesley Sneijder were
presented to fans on Monday as new players of Real Madrid, after
completing their medicals and signing five-season contracts with
the Spanish giants.
Speaking at the event, Real president Ramon Calderon praised
each player, reviewed their careers and delivered them new team
shirts, which do not yet have their names printed on the back.
"I am very happy to be here and to be a player for the world's
greatest club. I can't wait for the moment when I will play my
first match," Sneijder said.
Around 5,000 fans were at the stadium to welcome the new
players.
Winger Drenthe, 20, joins from Dutch club Feyenoord for a 14
million euro transfer fee. Sneijder, 23, comes from Dutch club Ajax
on a 27 million euro transfer fee.
Including the two Dutchmen, Real has now signed six new players
at a total cost of 70 million euros, since firing former manager
Italy's Fabio Capello, who had helped the team to a league title,
and hiring Germany's Bernd Schuster.
(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2007)