Arbeloa completes return to Madrid

Real Madrid CF have continued to strengthen their squad for the new season with the signing of Liverpool FC right-back Álvaro Arbeloa for an estimated €4m.

Madrid return
Arbeloa, 26, passed a medical in Madrid on Wednesday and has agreed a five-year contact at the club where he developed as a youth player before leaving for RC Deportivo La Coruña in 2006 after failing to win a regular first-team place. He moved on to Liverpool the following January, and appeared 98 times for the English side. Last year he was part of the victorious Spain squad at UEFA EURO 2008™.

'Lifelong dream'
Madrid's medical chief Carlos Diez told the club's website: "He has undergone a standard examination and the results of all the tests are very satisfactory. He is delighted to be able to play for Real Madrid, which has been his lifelong dream. He's looking forward to joining his team-mates." Among his colleagues are his former rival at Manchester United FC, Cristiano Ronaldo, plus fellow signings Kaká, Karim Benzema, Raúl Albiol, Álvaro Negredo and Esteban Granero. After a summer in which Madrid have spent more than €200m, new coach Manuel Pellegrini will lead Madrid in the UEFA Champions League group stage, when Liverpool also join the competition, with a replacement for Arbeloa already added in the shape of Glen Johnson.