Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has completed his €20million move to Real Madrid after successfully passing a medical in the Spanish capital.
The 23-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and is seen as a replacement for Ruben de la Red and Mahamadou Diarr, both of whom are ruled out for the season.
Following Diarra’s medical Carlos Diez, the head of medical services at Real Madrid, said: “The player’s health is exceptional and he is perfectly fit for sporting activity.”
“Moreover, he has a lot of desire and if it wasn’t for the Christmas holidays he would already be at work.”
Portsmouth coach Johnny Metgod, who played for Real Madrid in the early 80’s, expects the Frenchman to be a success in Spain.
“Madrid have not made a mistake with him [Diarra],” Metgod said. “He is very technical. He uses the ball very well and he doesn’t lose it much. He is going to be the player who remains very close to the centre-backs.”
“Him, next to (Wesley) Sneijder and Guti, will form a great central midfield,” Metgod added.
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