Samuel moving to Madrid

Real Madrid CF have signed Argentina defender Walter Samuel on a five-year contract from AS Roma.

Priority signing
The 26-year-old central defender's transfer will go through on 1 July. "We have reached an agreement in principle with Roma and with the player and we can finally announce we've signed a central defender, a priority for us for next season," Madrid's sporting director-general Jorge Valdano told the club's official website.

No trophy
Samuel, who joined Roma in 2000 from CA Boca Juniors, will help shore up a Madrid side that has been criticised for a lack of depth and weaknesses in defence. The club will end the season without a trophy despite a squad that includes attacking talents like Brazil's Ronaldo, France's Zinedine Zidane, Portugal's Luís Figo and England's David Beckham.

High praise
Valdano praised Samuel as a "thoroughbred defender" and said he would help develop the young defenders within the Madrid team. "He brings quality and maturity which will help our young players feel more comfortable and play better," he added.

European hope
Madrid have one game left to play in the 2003/04 Primera Division season, at home against Real Sociedad de Fútbol on Sunday. However, their hopes of finishing second, and securing an automatic place in the UEFA Champions League group stage, depend on a victory and a draw or defeat for FC Barcelona at Real Zaragoza.