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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, June 27, 2009

Soccer: Madrid completes signing of Ronaldo from United


Associated Press

MADRID — Real Madrid has completed the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

The 24-year-old Portugal winger will be a Madrid player on July 1 after agreeing to a six-season deal. The move is worth a record $131 million.

Madrid says on its Web site that FIFA's world player of the year will be presented at Santiago Bernabeu stadium on July 6.

Terms of Ronaldo's contract were not disclosed, but Spanish reports put the figure as high as $18 million per season, with the player expected to split his image rights with Madrid.

The Spanish club is also considering offering him a bodyguard as part of the deal.

Real Madrid has spent a reported $92 million to sign midfielder Kaka from AC Milan and $21 million on defender Raul Albiol from Valencia this offseason since Florentino Perez returned as president in June.