Saviola joins Real Madrid (11 Jul 2007 03:32 GMT)
Bernd Schuster announced his second signing in a day with the arrival of free agent Javier Saviola whose contact expired this summer at Madrid's arch rivals Barcelona.
"He is young, can score goals and can give us a lot more. These are small details that are also good for us," Schuster said.
The German insisted that the fans had "reacted well" to the news of Saviola's arrival but the truth is there will be a number of Madristas less that amused with having a Barca reject in their midst.
Schuster will be able to advise his new recruit on how best to handle the fans as he too made the controversial move from Catalonia to Madrid in his playing days.
The little Argentine joined Barca from River Plate as a teenager with a huge future back in 2001. He cost the Catalans £15 million, but with the arrival of coach Frank Rijkaard in 2003 Saviola dropped down the pecking order.
The striker was determined to prove himself after a successful start to the season scoring five goals in seven appearances. But with a fully fit squad to pick from, Saviola didn't get a sniff and was even left out of the entire squad for Barca's final home game last season against Espanyol.
Saviola will hope to rejuvenate his career at the Bernabeu and once again put himself in contention for a place in his national team after missing out on the Copa America.
source : Eurosport