Former Madrid player Luis Figo signs 18-month contract with Saudi club.

Former World Player of the Year Luis Figo has signed an 18-month contract with Al Ittihad for an undisclosed sum, the Saudi club said on Sunday.

"I can confirm that Luis Figo of Inter Milan has signed an official contract with Ittihad starting on July 1, 2007," Ittihad director-general Rafat Turki told Reuters.

"I have no right to release the value but we concluded a deal acceptable to both sides that is the highest, not just in the Middle East, but in Asia for a player that is worth the value."

Italian and Saudi newspapers had been reporting for weeks that the 34-year-old Portuguese midfielder, whose contract with Inter Milan expires at the end of the season, was on the brink of moving to the Jeddah-based club.

Inter Milan dismissed the report several days ago saying in a statement on its website that there was no negotiation under way.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who was in Bahrain with his team for a training camp and a friendly against Bahrain's national team, told the Gulf Daily News that Figo would stay at least until his contract expired at the end of the year.

But Turki said Ittihad had clinched the deal in Bahrain on Thursday night.

The club had earlier delayed announcing the deal until the contract was signed, raising media speculation that the talks had fallen through.

Ittihad issued a statement on the same day saying the talks were delayed because Figo had demanded he be paid 70 percent of the agreed sum in his first six months at Ittihad, during which time he would be allowed to end the contract for any reason.

"The negotiations took almost 2-1/2 months. To get a player of such skill and prestige takes time," Turki said.

"A couple of hours after the press conference we were able to conclude the deal."

Figo began his career at Sporting Lisbon and played for Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.

He played for Barcelona and Real Madrid before joining Inter at the start of the 2005-6 season.

Fernando Gago-New Signing.

Redondo's heir apparent lands at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Fernando Gago, the best number ‘5’ Argentina has to offer and one of the most complete footballers of the world will sign for Real Madrid with the goal of becoming the best player of his age throughout the football world. This signing, along with that of Marcelo and Higuaín, is part of the promised project to build a team with a promising future.

Fernando Rubén Gago was born on 10 April 1986 in Ciudadela, Buenos Aires. He began his career at Parque, a modest Club where former Madridistas like Fernando Redondo and Esteban Cambiasso, two players with similar styles to Gago, got their start. Villarreal's Juan Román Riquelme was also a product of Parque CF.

His next stop was the youth categories of Boca Juniors, where his entire professional career was developed. Like many Argentinian players, Gago has a nickname. They have called him “Pintita”, or “Drawer”, since he was a young boy, as his coach would scold him by shouting “stop drawing and run!” He made his First Division debut with Boca on 5 December 2004, which was a 1-0 win over Quilmes. But it was during the 2005 season that his career took off and made him the star he is today.

Gago is a very dynamic footballer who bases his play on ball movement. His style resembles that of Guardiola because of his great capacity to distribute the game and because his mental prowess tends to surpass his strength. Gago became a Boca fixture shortly after making his debut, and all balls had to go through him. He also has the ability to reach the opponent's box, perhaps even moreso than Redondo, who he reminds us of by his vision, his way of covering ground, and his ball protection. Gago also knows how to take advantage of his elbows and is a player who never hides. He recovers well and distributes even better.

Fernando Gago was an Under-21 international and is on course to play for Argentina's national team. His greatest triumph so far was winning the World Youth Championship in Holland in 2005 with Argentina. Other members of the team included Oscar Ustari, Lionel Messí, and Sergio Agüero.

They say…

Maradona: “He's one of the best wingers in the world and should never be left off the national team.”
Fernando Redondo: “Gago is the type of player I would always want on my team. He has all the characterstics of my type of midfielder. He goes all out, keeps his head held high, and is great at reading the game.”
Jorge Valdano: “He's a footballer taylormade to the Club. He thinks fast and well, and will always make sure the ball gets to where it's supposed to. Gago is exactly what Real Madrid need at the moment.”
Vicente Del Bosque: “Signing Gago is the right call. He's a good player.”

Track record
Apertura 2005 champion with Boca Juniors
Clausura 2006 champion with Boca Juniors
South American Cup 2005 champion with Boca Juniors
South American Cup Winner's Cup 2004 and 2005 with Boca Juniors
FIFA's World Youth Championship 2005 with Argentina

Higuain celebrates £8M Real Madrid deal.

Real Madrid have completed the signing of River Plate striker Gonzalo Higuain for £8 million.

The 18 year-old will officially join Real next month after River were talked down from their original £9 million asking price, which they demanded in negotiations on Wednesday.

"It was the most difficult negotiations in our lives," said River finance chief Hector Grinberg, who had warned Real chiefs Franco Baldini and Pedja Mijatovic of a late bid from Bayern Munich yesterday.

For his part, Higuain has signed a contract through to 2013 and declared: "I am immensely happy because everything has been closed, because my dream has been fulfilled. Real Madrid was my dream and now it has been fulfilled. I am hoping to be a success in Madrid."

Report: Gago awaiting Real transfer.

Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago has agreed to personal terms with Real Madrid and is waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement on his transfer.

Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic has asked Gago's agent, Marcelo Lombilla, to press Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri to allow the player to move during January's transfer window, sports daily As said Thursday.

Macri, who is reportedly asking for $34.2 million for the 20-year-old midfielder, wants him to remain until June so he can play in the Copa Libertadores.

Madrid president Ramon Calderon hopes to complete Gago's transfer before the club's general assembly on Sunday.

Calderon is said to believe the Argentine's arrival would help him resist calls for new elections from members annoyed by the freezing of postal votes in the July poll.

However, Macri ruled out the imminent transfer of Gago, who has been compared with former Argentina midfielder Fernando Redondo, who won the Champions League in 1998 and 2000 with Madrid.

"It's impossible for Madrid to present Gago on Sunday or announce his signing because there is no deal between the clubs," Macri told Radio La Red.

Madrid recently signed 18-year-old left back Marcelo from Fluminense, and is said to be aiming to sign another teenager, River Plate striker.

Guti and Roberto Carlos sign to stay at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid is to renew the contracts of both Guti and Roberto Carlos. Guti has signed until 2010 while the Brazilian has committed for a season more to June 2008, with an option for a further year extension. All the signings are expected to take place this week.

The EFE news agency reports that Guti has been given a 13% wage increase on the new contract, but details of the Robert Carlos contract have not been revealed.

Meanwhile talks on David Beckham remain reportedly on hold as the player fights to keep a first team place at the club.

Madrid set for double signing.

Real Madrid are set to make offers for Argentine youngsters Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain. The duo are both keen on moves to Madrid.

"Gago would be good for us. He has a great touch and is a quality player," Mijatovic told Onda 6

"We are interested in him but it isn't a done deal yet. There are other big clubs interested as well but he wants to come to Real."

Madrid eye Brazilian youngster.

Real Madrid are reportedly closing in on the signature of young Fluminense defender Marcelo, who looks set to join next season.

With Roberto Carlos coming to the end of his career, the capital outfit need a replacement at left back and see the 18-year-old as a long-term successor to the Brazilian legend.

The left-back leapt to the attentions of the football world by scoring on his Brazil debut against Wales and he is being touted as the next Carlos by fans in Brazil.

Reports suggest that the talented stopper will pen a deal with Real in the next few days but will not join the club until the 2007-2008 season, although he would be able to move to Madrid during the January transfer window.

The player's agent Reinaldo Pitta expects to wrap up the deal in the next few days and told sports daily As: "Although anything can happen in soccer, I can't imagine the transfer won't be finalised tomorrow.

Beckham to sign new deal soon.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has revealed that David Beckham will sign a new contract with the club within the next three weeks.

The ex-England captain was dropped for Sunday's clash with Real Sociedad but came off the bench to score in a 2-0 victory.

After ruling out a Premiership return, because he could never face playing against former club Manchester United, a new deal at the Bernabeu seems the likeliest option for the 31-year-old.

"In the next 15 or 20 days, we will resolve it [Beckham's contract]," Calderon told City FM. "Because [coach Fabio] Capello, like the club, is extremely happy with the player."

Beckham is facing a fight for his place at club and international level and, despite his ambition to reach 100 England caps, it seems unlikely that coach Steve McClaren will recall him to the fold.

Real Madrid may sign replacement for injured Cicinho.

Real Madrid suggested that it might sign a replacement for injured right-back Cicinho.

"We will study the possibility of signing a replacement in the next few days," said sporting director Pedja Mijatovic Sunday night.

Spanish federation rules permit a team to bring in cover for a player who has suffered long-term injury at any time during the season.

Cicinho tore the cruciate ligaments in his right knee in Real's 1-0 win Saturday at Betis. He will be operated upon this week and will be out of action for around six months.