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Madrid, July 10
Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Italian champions Juventus from Real Madrid on a four-year contract for 100 million euros ($117.34 million), ending his nine-year year stint filled with trophies and goals at the Spanish giants. The two European giants on Tuesday announced the much-anticipated deal for the five-times world player of the year who joined Real from Manchester United in 2008 for a then world record 80 million pounds ($106 million). The 33-year-old Portugal forward is the Spanish club's all-time top scorer with 451 goals in all competitions and won two La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with them.
The signing of the latest Ballon d'Or winner and top-scorer in the Champions League for the last six seasons represents a major coup for Juve, who have had a stranglehold on the Italian title since 2012 but have not won Europe's top prize since 1996.
The signing also strikes a blow for the profile of Serie A against La Liga, which has now lost two of its three most famous players in the last year after Paris St Germain signed Neymar from Barcelona for a world record fee last August.
“Real Madrid announces that it has agreed to transfer Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus FC due to the will and desire expressed by the player,” the European champions said.
Despite his remarkable consistency, Ronaldo often appeared unsettled at Real and had threatened to leave on several occasions, first airing his dissatisfaction with the club's hierarchy in 2012 by saying in a post-game interview: “I'm sad and the club knows why.”
Reports emerged last year that Ronaldo was again upset with the club's President Florentino Perez over a pay dispute and was intent on leaving, although he stayed on to lead the club to a third successive Champions League triumph.
Ronaldo, however, soured the celebrations immediately after the 3-1 win over Liverpool in the final in Kiev by indicating he had decided to leave, saying in a post-match interview “It was beautiful to play for Real Madrid.” — Agencies
Ronaldo @ Real Madrid
"Cristiano, your goals, your numbers and everything we've won together speak for themselves. You have earned a special place in the history of Real Madrid" — Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid skipper
A true champion. It was a pleasure playing with you! All the best, legend. —Toni Kroos, Real Madrid midfielder
We had a great time together in Madrid, I can't wait to get back to work with you! Today is a special day for @ Juventus FC! — Sami Khedira, Juventus midfielder
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