Cristiano Ronaldo has finalised his move from Real Madrid to Serie A champions Juventus in a reported €105 million deal.
While the player was on holiday with his family in Greece, his representative Jorge Mendes was in close discussions with both clubs in a bid to wrap up the move as quickly as possible.
On Tuesday, Juventus confirmed the signing of the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, with Ronaldo penning a four-year contract at the Allianz Stadium, with a yearly salary of around €30m.
“I believe that the time has come to open a new stage in my life and that is why I have asked the club to accept transferring me,” Ronaldo said in a letter published on Real Madrid’s official website. “I feel that way and I ask everyone, and especially our followers, to please understand me.
“They have been absolutely wonderful for nine years. They have been nine unique years. It has been an exciting time for me, full of consideration but also hard because Real Madrid is of a very high demand, but I know very well that I will never forget that I have enjoyed football here in a unique way.”
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli met with Ronaldo in Greece to discuss the transfer and his plans for the player with the Scudetto holders, having been granted permission by Los Blancos to meet the player.
It brings to an end Ronaldo’s nine-year association with Real Madrid, having joined the club in the summer of 2009 from Manchester United in what was then a record purchase for the Spanish side.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com