Transfer News
TONI KROOS on Thursday looked forward to a trophy-laden time with Real Madrid after signing from Bayern Munich on a six-year deal just days after winning the World Cup with Germany.
Friday, July 18, 2014
New boy Kroos up for Real challenge
TONI KROOS on Thursday looked forward to a trophy-laden time with Real Madrid after signing from Bayern Munich on a six-year deal just days after winning the World Cup with Germany.
"I am here to win titles. That is how it has always been in my career,” said the 24-year-old playmaker as he was presented to thousands of fans and media at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
"When I started at Bayern Munich the only option was to win, and now it is the same,” he added.
"I know that I am at a very successful club and I am going to do my bit to make sure that continues to be the case.”
Kroos had an outstanding World Cup, scoring two goals in two minutes in the 7-1 semifinal rout of Brazil before helping Germany overcome Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s final.
Spanish media said Real and Bayern agreed a deal worth between 25 million and 30 million euros ($33-$40 million) for Kroos, who had a year left on his contract in Bavaria.
Kroos, who sported the No 8 jersey at his unveiling, denied that a disagreement with Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was behind his decision to leave the Bundesliga champions.
He said: "I had already been at Bayern for a long time and have won everything there, so I thought a new step would do me good.”
The two clubs said the official transfer fee would remain secret, but the arrival of Kroos could hasten the departure from Madrid of his fellow German Sami Khedira, who now risks losing his midfield place and has been linked with Arsenal.
"A magnificent player has arrived, as he showed at the World Cup, where he was one of the best in the competition,” said Madrid president Florentino Perez.
"His great performances in recent weeks do not come as a surprise, but as confirmation that we had chosen the right player.”
Earlier, a Bayern statement confirmed they had agreed a deal with Real and that Kroos had signed a six-year contract.
"The two clubs have agreed to remain silent about the transfer fee,” it said.
"We thank Toni Kroos for his time at Munich,” said Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "We have experienced great successes with him.”
Kroos arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu with 11 trophies already on his CV, the World Cup the jewel in a collection including the 2013 Champions League, last season’s Bundesliga title and the Club World Cup.
He joined Bayern as a teenager in 2007, making his first-team debut at the age of 17 and becoming a regular after an 18-month loan spell at Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
Ferdinand joins promoted QPR
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED defender Rio Ferdinand signed for Premier League new-boys QPR on a free transfer on Thursday and revealed he had turned down more lucrative offers in order to return to London.
Ferdinand agreed a one-year deal with the Hoops, ending his search for a new club following his release by United when his contract expired last month.
The 35-year-old was keen to move back to London, where he was born, and he has decided to rejoin QPR boss Harry Redknapp, who handed him his professional debut when the pair worked together at West Ham.
Ferdinand revealed the prospect of turning out for a club he admired as a boy also persuaded him to move to Loftus Road, where his brother Anton and cousin Les both played with distinction.
"I used to sit in the stands, my dad used bring me here as a young boy. There are great memories for me here and for my family,” Ferdinand told QPR’s website.
"Anton had nothing but good things to say about QPR and I watched Les (Ferdinand) here as a boy, with the likes of Ray Wilkins, Clive Wilson, David Bardsley and Alan McDonald.”
Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League during his 12-year spell with United, is Redknapp’s first close-season signing after guiding QPR back into the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.
And the former England centre-back admitted he had turned down several more lucrative offers from across the world to sign for QPR.
Michu makes Napoli loan move
SWANSEA FORWARD MICHU has joined Napoli on a season-long loan with an agreed option to make the move permanent.
Napoli’s chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed the news via his Twitter account, saying ‘Benvenuto a Michu’ before Swansea confirmed the news.
Michu joined the Welsh club in 2012 for £2million from Rayo Vallecano and impressed during his first season, scoring 22 goals in 43 matches.
However, the 28-year-old endured a frustrating second season in Wales due to injuries - and netted only twice in 15 starts in the Premier League.
The one-cap Spain international scored 28 goals in 63 games in total for the Welsh club.
Napoli, who are managed by Rafa Benitez, finished third in Serie A last term to secure a place in the Champions League play-offs and also won the Coppa Italia for a fifth time.
Arsenal complete Debuchy deal
ARSENAL COMPLETED their swoop for France defender Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle United on Thursday in a deal reported to be worth around 15 million euros.
Debuchy has been a long-term target for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners’ manager finally got his man as the right-back put pen to paper on a long-term contract.
The 28-year-old, who was part of the French squad which reached the World Cup quarter-finals, is the ideal replacement for compatriot Bacary Sagna, who left Arsenal to join Premier League Manchester City on a free transfer last month.
Debuchy, who is reported to have cost the Gunners around £12 million, becomes Arsenal’s second signing since the end of last season following the £30 million arrival of Chile winger Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona.
"We are delighted to welcome Mathieu Debuchy to Arsenal,” Wenger told the club’s website.
"He has shown he can perform at the highest level with his club sides and also for France.
"He is a quality defender who has good Premier League experience and I’m confident he will fit in very well with us.”