Real Madrid officially presents new signing Diarra

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-23 10:11

MADRID -- Real Madrid officially presented Lassana Diarra as their latest signing to the fans and the press on Monday lunchtime.

File photo of Lassana Diarra at an English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London January 31, 2007. [Xinhua]

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 = $1.39 ).

His deal will keep him at the Spanish club until the end of the 2012-13 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.