Albiol was a member of the European Championship-winning team last summer. -- PHOTO: AP
MADRID - REAL Madrid has reached a deal to sign Spain defender Raul Albiol from Valencia.
Real Madrid said on its website on Thursday that the transfer will go through next week after Albiol has passed a medical and signed a five-year contract.
It said the 23-year-old defender will be presented next week.
No details of the fee were given, but Spanish media reported on Wednesday that Madrid has agreed to pay Valencia 15 million euros (US$30.6 million) for Albiol, who has been playing at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Albiol, who also played at Getafe, will be new president Florentino Perez's first Spanish signing after bringing Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Albiol was a member of the European Championship-winning team last summer and has made 15 international appearances.
The 1.87-meter center back played 126 league games in four full seasons at the Mestalla. -- AP
