SPAIN: Real Madrid football club welcome Argentina's Javier Saviola as a player

Argentine striker Javier Saviola joins Real Madrid from arch-rival Barcelona on a four-year contract. Real Madrid on Friday (July 13) showed off their new Argentine striker Javier Saviola. Saviola, out of contract with Barcelona having turned down their offer of an extension, said he was looking forward to starting a new era as a Real Madrid player. "My wish is to be able to play good soccer seasons in such an important club, that's why I have come here; to give the best of my performance to be a good team player and I hope people will be able to enjoy seeing what I can do," the Argentine said, before being handed Real's white jersey. After his presentation, Saviola met some 300 hundred fans who gathered at the stands of the Bernabeu stadium. The Argentina striker said later in a news conference the fact that Real Madrid's new coach Bernd Schuster had been so keen to sign him was a key factor in him joining the Spanish champions. "It's important the coach has asked for me. Having the confidence of the coach and knowing he is going to back me is vital." Saviola said. Saviola has signed a four-year contract with Real, but recognised that simply moving did not guarantee him regular first-team football. He was third choice behind Samuel Eto'o and Eidur Gudjohnsen at Barcelona last season and despite some impressive moments, especially in the King's Cup where he scored seven goals, he rarely featured in the starting line up. Before that, he had been loaned out to Monaco in 2004/5 and again to Sevilla in 2005/6. Real already boast Rud van Nistelrooy, Raul, Gonzalo Higuain, and Roberto Soldado in their front line, but Saviola remained positive about his chances. "It isn't easy at clubs like Real or Barca where there is always healthy competition and everyone wants to be in the first team. I am sure I will have opportunities next season, the same way my team mates will do as well," he added. Real president Ramon Calderon welcomed the player to the Bernabeu saying: "We all will enjoy Saviola's football. Javier: welcome home." But in listing the player's past achievements at international level and while in Argentina with River Plate, Calderon skilfully avoided making any reference to the last six years of the player's career at arch-rivals Barcelona. Saviola is one of a rare breed to make the move from Catalunya to the capital, following in the footsteps of players such as Schuster, Michael Laudrup and Luis Figo. "All the things that have happened are in the past, I want to start a new phase. I didn't betray anybody, I didn't kill anybody, I am just a soccer player and I have come here to play soccer," Saviola said. Saviola is Real's third signing of the close season after defenders Christoph Metzelder and Pepe were presented earlier in the week.

ITN Source | July 14, 2007

Tags:. .choice. .wish. .healthy. .gathered. .especially