File photo of Lassana Diarra at an English Premier
League soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London January 31, 2007.-
Xinhua/Reuters
Real Madrid officially presented Lassana Diarra as their latest signing to
the fans and the press yesterday lunchtime.
The 23-year-old French International is Real Madrid's third incorporation of
the winter transfer market, joining fellow new arrivals Jan-Klaas Huntelaar and
Dani Parejo at the club.
Diarra was signed from English Premier League club Portsmouth for a fee
thought to be slightly over 20 million euros (1 euro = US$1.39).
His deal will keep him at the Spanish club until the end of the2012-13 season
and Real Madrid hopes that he will provide cover for the duo of Ruben de la Red
and Mahamadou Diarra, both of who will be out for the rest of the current
campaign.
"It is impossible to refuse an offer from Real Madrid. This was my dream
since I was a child and I now want to do my best on the pitch," said Diarra in
his first press conference as a new Madrid player.
He also promised that he would give everything for the team as Real looks to
pull back a 12-point deficit over Primera Liga leaders FC Barcelona.
"I'm here to give 100 percent. I want to fight for the crest of this team. I
have a strong personality and I want to prove my worth before my new crowd."
"I am a natural fighter. I've always proven to be. I am a defensive
midfielder that specialises in recovering the ball, but I can also play as a
right back," he said.