World Cup winner Kroos joins Real Madrid
PHOTO | PEDRO UGARTE Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos reacts after missing a shot on goal during the first half of extra-time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. Kroos has joined Real Madrid from Bayern Munich on a six-year contract.
What you need to know:
- The 24-year-old playmaker moves to the European champions on the back of an outstanding World Cup.
- This is the second high profile World Cup player to move to La Liga this month, following Luis Suarez's reported EUR95 million ($128 million) transfer from Manchester City to Real's arch rivals Barcelona.
MADRID
Toni Kroos will be unveiled as Real Madrid's latest high profile signing on Thursday after the European champions agreed a six-year deal to sign the Germany World Cup winner from Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-old playmaker moves to the European champions on the back of an outstanding World Cup.
He scored two goals in as many minutes in the 7-1 semi-final rout of Brazil, en route to overcoming Argentina 1-0 in Sunday's final.
Kroos is due to be unveiled by his new employers at a press conference later Thursday.
Real hailed their latest catch as "one of the most important players of the moment".
In the statement confirming his arrival the club described him as "a playmaker capable of finding the best option in any situation, with a vision of the game enabling him to help his teammates, as well as an impressive kick."
Kroos, whose contract with Bayern expired next season, sided with Real over alternative touted moves to the likes of Manchester United or Chelsea.
He arrives at the Santiago Bernabeu with 11 trophies already on his cv, Sunday's World Cup the jewel in a collection including the 2013 Champions League, Bundesliga titles and the Club World Cup.
He joined Bayern as a teenager in 2007, making his first team appearance at the age of 17. He became a regular after an 18-month loan spell at Bundesliga rivals Bayern Leverkusen.
This is the second high profile World Cup player to move to La Liga this month, following Luis Suarez's reported EUR95 million ($128 million) transfer from Liverpool to Real's arch rivals Barcelona.
The path from the World Cup to Spain could also see Monaco's Colombia hotshot James Rodriguez join Kroos at Real.
The World Cup's top scorer with six goals told Spanish sports daily Marca on Monday: "I'd jump at the chance of going to Real Madrid."
