Raul Albiol is officially a Real Madrid player. The international defender signed his contract alongside president Florentino Perez. The event took place in the Board Room of the Santiago Bernabeu minutes prior to the player’s official presentation on the turf of the Madridista stadium Also on hand were President of Honor, Alfredo di Stefano, Jorge Valdano, Miguel Pardeza and several Board members.

Raul Albiol inked his five-year deal with Real Madrid in the Board Room of the Santiago Bernabeu. Florentino Perez welcomed the player and commented on his participation in the Confederations Cup and Spain’s defeat against the USA. “It was a bad day,” replied Albiol. But that was the end of the negativity during on such an important day for the new Madridista. Jorge Valdano meanwhile congratulated Albiol’s family members.

Joining President Florentino Perez at the round table were President of Honor, Alfredo di Stefano; Director General, Jorge Valdano and several Board members. On the other side of the room stood Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño and former Real Madrid player Jose Emilio Santamaria. Seconds before Albiol put pen to paper, Florentino Perez extended his hand for a congratulatory shake.

The Real Madrid President also presented Albiol with silver replica of the Santiago Bernabeu, a match, the fountain pen used to sign the contract and a stuffed doll wearing a Real Madrid kit for the four-month old daughter of the player.

There was plenty more in store after the intense moment. Raul Albiol headed to the dressing room to don the kit for the first time and subsequently set foot on the Bernabeu turf in front of 6,000 fans, who welcomed the player with cheers.