Real Madrid is said to pay record transfer fee to obtain Gareth Bale
Real Madrid added to its star power Sunday by completing what is reported to be a world-record transfer with the Tottenham Hotspurs for Gareth Bale.
The Welsh winger will be introduced in Madrid on Monday to much fanfare, with the $132-million transfer fee eclipsing the more than $120 million Real Madrid reportedly paid Manchester United for the rights to Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
In a statement on the Tottenham website, Bale said he had reservations about making a move but admitted it would be a “dream come true” to join Real Madrid.
“I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date,” the statement read. “I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.”
Bale, 24, was originally considered a bust after he broke into the English Premier League with Southampton in 2006, registering only five goals in 40 games over two seasons. Tottenham acquired Bale in 2007 and he proceeded to become one of the top free-kick specialists and long-range scorers in the world.
The Spurs, though, only qualified for the prestigious UEFA Champions League once, during the 2010-11 campaign. Although it has been reported that Bale was often frustrated with Tottenham’s inability to join the Premier League’s upper echelon, he was most thankful in his parting words for the Spurs and Southampton.
“I am well aware that I would not be at the level I am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have,” said Bale, who scored 42 goals in 146 appearances with the Spurs. “Tottenham will always be in my heart and I’m sure that this season will be a successful one for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid.”
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