Serie A side snap up Spanish centre-back.
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Raul Albiol has signed a four year contract with Napoli, after the Serie A giants agreed a €12million fee with Real Madrid.
The 27 year-old’s move to Italy had been agreed for some time, but official confirmation has only arrived this morning thanks to Napoli’s official website. The Spaniard had underwent a medical in Naples, the week prior to the announcement, but he only penned his new contract today.
Albiol will become the second Real Madrid to join up with newly appointed manager Rafa Benitez at the Stadio San Paolo, with potentially a third to arrive in coming weeks.
The third potential Real Madrid player to join Napoli this summer is Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain after the two clubs have agreed a €35million fee for the 25 year-old.
In his career, Raul Albiol has won everything from the Copa del Rey [twice] to the World Cup with Spain in 2010. He even has some individual awards such as ‘Breakthrough Player of the Year’ in La Liga back in 2006.
The 27 year-old has managed over 160 appearances for Spanish side Valencia, and over 110 with their Liga BBVA rivals Real Madrid. In total, Albiol has played 335 competitive career games, scoring twelve times.
Football runs in his family with his older brother Miguel Albiol, formerly of Valencia, currently playing for Liga Adelante side Real Murcia. His father played for Benidorm CF, and his younger brother Brian is named after former Ajax star Brian Laudrup [brother of Swansea manager Michael Laudrup].