Real Madrid have announced the shock signing of former Manchester United left-back Gabriel Heinze.
"Real Madrid and Manchester United have reached an agreement for the transfer of the footballer Gabriel Heinze. The Argentine, 29, will sign a four year contract and immediately be incorporated into coach Bernd Schuster's squad."
Heinze, then, becomes Madrid's fourth defensive signing of the summer, after Pepe, Metzelder and Drenthe - but perhaps the most surprising.
The switch, reported to be worth around 10 million euros for the Old Trafford side, comes after months of speculation over the Argentine's future.
The Argentine was unhappy at Old Trafford, particularly after losing his first team spot to Patrice Evra last season. In possession of a letter from Manchester United which said he could leave for £6.8m, he set about finding suitors.
Real Madrid had been linked with him earlier in the summer, but went cold after securing Pepe and Metzelder. Liverpool were are the ones who have been keen on his services over the last month.
The Anfield side matched the Red Devils' £6.8m (10m euro) valuation, but Sir Alex Ferguson announced that United were unwilling to sell to a top-tier rival.
The dispute then went to the Premier League Arbitration Panel, who ruled that the letter did not supercede Heinze's contract, and that United could not be forced to sell against their wishes.
An Old Trafford exit was still on, but the destination ever more uncertain!
Heinze then denied this morning that a move to Real Madrid was in the offing, and insisted that he was looking to appeal the Premier League's decision. However, the latest communique from Madrid comfirms otherwise.
Heinze played over 50 league matches for Manchester United in his three year spell at Old Trafford, one that was interrupted by a major knee injury.
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