Gago and Marcelo got debut.

Two new signings of Real Madrid Fernando Gago and Marcelo have their debut against Deportivo La Coruna yesterday.

Marcelo joins Real Madrid.

Brazil left back Marcelo has joined Real Madrid from Fluminense.

Marcelo passed a routine medical Tuesday and will be presented at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium the following day, Madrid said on its website.

News reports said the defender has signed a 5½-year contract.

"I'm very happy and I hope to return the affection with many titles," Marcelo said.

Madrid president Ramon Calderon described Marcelo as "a pearl which half of Europe wanted."

"He has come to Real Madrid, continuing what should happen, that the good players have to be here," Calderon was quoted as saying by the website of sports daily Marca.

Marcelo, for whom Madrid has reportedly paid six million euros (C$8,750,000), is an 18-year-old defender whose style has been compared to Brazilian star Roberto Carlos.

Calderon said Carlos has extended his contract by a year, tying him to the club until June 2008.

"It is what we all wanted. He is very happy at Madrid. Marcelo is coming to be (Roberto Carlos') substitute the day he decides to retire," Calderon said. "He's a very young player who will bring freshness and life to the club. He is coming to help us renew the club."

Three of Madrid's four signings after Calderon was elected in July are more than 30 years old - Ruud van Nistelrooy, Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson.

Even though Marcelo would be free to play for Madrid once January's transfer window opens, he reportedly may start out in the club's reserve team, Castilla, which plays in the Spanish second division.

Marcelo - whose full name is Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior - has been capped twice under Brazil coach Dunga. He scored on his debut against Wales in September, but hasn't been included for Wednesday's friendly with Switzerland.

Marcelo is Madrid's seventh Brazilian player. The others are Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Robinho, Emerson, Cicinho and Julio Baptista, who is on loan to Arsenal this season.

Calderon added Tuesday that Madrid would soon sign an Argentine player. This could be River Plate striker Gonzalo Higuain or Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago.

Lyon challenge Real over Marcelo.

Lyon has expressed interest over Real target Marcelo of Fluminense, according to Brazilian media.

The 18-year-old full back has been a target for Real Madrid recently. Besides impressing for Flu, he has also featured in Dunga's Brazil squad.

Flu is reportedly forced to offload some players in January, and so far Marcelo was reported to be set for a �6.5 million deal with Real.

But Lyon now has asked Marcelo not to sign until he has heard their offer.

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.

Real Madrid secures Brazilian star deal.

Real Madrid is on the verge of signing Brazilian star Marcelo, an 18-year-old talented left back considered to be the next Roberto Carlos. Real Madrid officer Franco Baldini is in Brazil closing the deal in 6.5 million euros.

Marcelo, who has featured in his side Fluminense 34 times this season scoring 6 goals and has been always called up by Brazilian manager Dunga since he took over, will join the White House in January, filling in the remaining place for foreigners in the team.

After closing the operation, Franco Baldini will be traveling to Buenos Aires, where he will try to do the same with Fernando Gago.

Fluminense officials are denying that the deal has already been done.