Italy’s World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro has completed his move to Real Madrid.
Cannnavaro has signed a three-year deal – much to the delight of Real president Ramon Calderon.
“He was our number one target from the day sports director Predrag Mijatovic and coach Fabio Capello started planning the team,” Calderon said.
Cannavaro was signed from Juventus along with Brazilian midfielder Emerson as the Italian club were forced to sell players following their relegation from Serie A after the Italian match-fixing scandal.
“He is an example for all young players. He was a ballboy at the World Cup finals in Italy in 1990 and since then has had an extraordinary career,” Calderon added.
“He is the first signing of my presidency and is an authentic number one, a great leader.”
Cannavaro becomes the latest in a lengthylist of defenders signed by Real to plug the holes in what has become a leaky defence.
Walter Samuel, who has since been sold, Jonathan Woodgate and Sergio Ramos have all joined in the past three years.
