Done Deal: Real Madrid Officially Sign Gareth Bale In World Record £85.3m Deal

Posted by

Spurs and Real confirm Bale signing for world-record fee.

Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts

Tottenham and Real Madrid have confirmed the transfer of Gareth Bale for a world-record fee of £85.3million on a six-year contract, subject to a medical.

The Welsh winger has been strongly linked with the Spanish giants all summer, after a sensational campaign last season saw him crowned both PFA and FWA player of the year.

Tottenham have been preparing for his departure, signing big names such as Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado to help replace the influential attacker, though it will be a blow to lose their star player and top scorer from last season.

His move will eclipse the world-record transfer fee that Real Madrid previously broke when they signed Cristiano Ronaldo for £80million from Manchester United in 2009.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed Bale’s departure in his post-match interview this evening, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy followed that up with an official statement on the club’s website, which read:

“Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future. He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract.

“Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth’s desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.

“We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad to which we have added no fewer than seven top internationals. More importantly, we have an immense team spirit and a dressing room that is hungry for success.

“We wish Gareth all the best in the future and he shall always be welcome at the Lane.”

Bale started his career at Southampton, before joining Spurs in 2007 for £10million. He initially started as a left-back before finding great success when moved further forward by former manager Harry Redknapp, and then into a more central role last season by Villas-Boas.

The 24-year-old scored a total of 55 goals in 203 appearances for the White Hart Lane club, and is expected to be announced by Real Madrid imminently.


More Stories Real Madrid CF Tottenham Hotspur FC