Kroos is Real’s first big-name signing
Print Edition
TONI Kroos yesterday became Real Madrid’s first high profile signing for the new season, moving from Bayern Munich on a six-year deal just days after winning the World Cup with Germany.
The 24-year-old playmaker had an outstanding World Cup, scoring two goals in two minutes in the 7-1 semifinal rout of Brazil, en route to overcoming Argentina 1-0 in the final.
Spanish media said Real and Bayern agreed a deal worth between 25-30 million euros (US$33-US$40 million).
Kroos’s arrival could hasten the departure of fellow German Sami Khedira who risks losing his midfield place.
Real hailed its latest catch as “one of the most important players of the moment.”
A Real statement described Kroos as “a playmaker capable of finding the best option in any situation, with a vision of the game enabling him to help his teammates, as well as an impressive kick.”
Kroos sided with Real over alternatives such as Manchester United or Chelsea. He arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu with 11 trophies already on his CV — the World Cup the jewel in a collection including the 2013 Champions League, Bundesliga titles and the Club World Cup.
The path from the World Cup to Spain could also see Monaco’s Colombia hotshot James Rodriguez join Kroos at Real.
Real has also been linked with a move for Levante’s Keylor Navas, the goalkeeper whose heroics helped Costa Rica reach the World Cup quarterfinals. Navas’s arrival would increase pressure on Iker Casillas, strongly criticized for his role in Spain’s World Cup collapse.
Elsewhere, Argentina striker Juan Manuel Iturbe left Verona for Serie A rival Roma in a deal worth 22 million euros.
In England, West Ham United agreed a deal to sign Ecuador international Enner Valencia from Pachuca of Mexico. Reports in England suggest the transfer fee will come close to the club record sum of 15 million pounds (US$2.4 million) paid for striker Andy Carroll last summer.
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