Real Madrid have officially signed Cristiano Ronaldo on a 93 million euro (US$131 million) six-year deal, the Spanish giants announced on Friday.
Former Manchester United forward Ronaldo is set to earn 13 million euros a year with Real, thus becoming the world’s highest-paid soccer player.
A statement on Real Madrid’s official Web site said: “Real Madrid CF and Manchester United have signed the definitive agreement for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Spanish club on 1 July. The player will stay at Real Madrid for six seasons.”
PHOTO: AFP
Ronaldo’s deal will see him move ahead of current soccer salary king, Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who currently earns 12 million euros a year.
Ronaldo, 24, had been on around 7.5 million euros a year at Old Trafford.
Portuguese international Ronaldo will officially become a Real player on July 1 and is set to be unveiled by the nine-times European champions on July 6.
Reports on Friday said that United are set to be paid in full by next week.
A statement on the Premier League champions’ Web site said: “Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure is all but done and dusted, after Real Madrid and Manchester United finalized the agreement for his transfer on Friday evening.”
Ronaldo is now set to become the centerpiece of the new Real as newly-elected president Florentino Perez bids to get the club reacquainted with their former glory days on the European stage.
Perez was in charge when Real’s team of “Galacticos,” including Zinedine Zindane, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham, starred for the Santiago Bernabeu side.
Real have also signed Brazilian forward Kaka.
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