Jonathan Woodgate made his long-awaited debut for Real Madrid when he came on as a substitute during the 5-0 win over a Major League select XI.
The 25-year-old, who signed for £13.4m from Newcastle in August 2004, came on as a substitute five minutes from time.
Woodgate said: “It has been a very hard year for me but finally I have made my debut so I am delighted.
“I need to play a lot more with my team mates but right now I am really pleased.
“I have got to give a big thank you to the fans because I felt the reception they gave me in my heart.”
The England defender also won praise from Madrid coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.
“We were trying to fire him up. We are trying to build a team here and if he looked emotional that is what we wanted,” Luxemburgo said.
Woodgate’s appearance was his first in a 16 month period plagued by a hamstring injury.
