Real spend big on Pepe
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Real Madrid have swooped to sign defender Pepe from Porto on a five-year deal.
The centre back, full name Kleper Laveran Lima Ferreira, becomes Real's first signing of the summer and the first since the arrival of new coach Bernd Schuster.
"Real Madrid and Porto have reached an agreement for the transfer of defender Kleper Laveran Lima Ferreira, 'Pepe'," read a statement on Real's official website.
"The player has signed a five-year contract and will join up with Real's squad immediately."
Reports in Portugal suggest Real have parted with €28 million (£19 million) to land the Brazilian-born stopper who helped Porto to the Portuguese title last term.
The signing of the 24-year-old would appear to have ended Real's interest in Romanian defender Cristian Chivu whom the Spanish champions had been chasing for some weeks.
Meanwhile, Julio Baptista insists he expects to start next season with Los Merengues despite being farmed out on loan to Arsenal last term.
'The Beast' is currently on Copa America duty with Brazil but is looking forward to returning to Spain and believes he still has a future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"When the Copa finishes I will return to Real Madrid, the club with whom I have a contract and with whom I will undertake pre-season," he stated.
"The most important thing is that I return to the club who signed me.
"What's more, Spain is a place I like living and I will give everything to be able to play there again." -
another super-misleading title
i tok its Reina -
o..Originally posted by a-Lost-9uY:another super-misleading title
i tok its Reina i didnt even realise till you mentioned 
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Good, then Chivu can go to Barca now.
Cheers.
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wow cool.. nice name he has got
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wtf? i think thats quite a heavy sum they spent.
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lol....i tot it was Reina...scare me...seems like real still have cash to spare...
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i think their funded by the king?
or was it the government... -
wha...their people and government so enthu in their soccer meh?...tot is the club pay 1...Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:i think their funded by the king?
or was it the government... -
the huge crown in their logo might indicate royalty.
therefore, royalty = king? -
hmmm..but i don't think the government would use their assets to support real...it isn't fair...well unless it is brought by the royalties la...Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:
the huge crown in their logo might indicate royalty.
therefore, royalty = king? -
pepe good meh
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overpriced.
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don't think Real is are being backed by them but one thing that happened years ago was that Real was in debt and had to sell away their training ground or something to recover some money but was then given a pc of land for them to build their training ground on by their GoverorOriginally posted by bananaking:hmmm..but i don't think the government would use their assets to support real...it isn't fair...well unless it is brought by the royalties la... -
I would think in Spain, the politics was linked somewhat to soccer?
Anyways, what about the current CB that they have ? Ramos or something, sell? Chivu that good meh? He was made to look like a schoolboy during Roma's defeat at OT. -
Casillas Defends Pepe Price Tag
Long-serving Merengues keeper Iker Casillas defended the big-money signing of Brazilian defender Pepe before claiming that he'd welcome competition for the #1 jersey.
Iker Casillas spoke thoughtfully of Real Madrid's transfer policy and, in doing so, defended the 30 million euro signing of ex-Porto stopper Pepe.
He said the price tag was justified because, "clearly he's worth it, and is a great player."
Perhaps sensing that this alone was not a sufficient reply, he added - quite justifiably - that the big-money signings of Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham and Sergio Ramos were for the most part very positive moves for Madrid.
Of course, both of Madrid's big summer signings so far have been in defence, which did not faze the international goalkeeper. He remarked, "anyone in any position is welcome if they improve the team. I believe strongly in always building from the back."
This seems to go against the newly-rediscovered 'attacking football' ethos at the Bernabeu; however, he remains convinced that Madrid will strengthen in midfield and up front.
But what about in goal? Casillas reacted positively to the suggestion that a new 'keeper could be on coach Schuster's shopping list, saying that "competition is always good." On the subject of Schuster himself, Casillas, predictably enough, declared him a "great coach."
Finally, returning to the theme of free-flowing football, Casillas pronounced himself delighted at Madrid's emotional league victory, but conceded that the fans were not always treated to silky soccer along the way.