Real Madrid have completed the signing of left back Fabio Coentrao from Benfica. The Portuguese defender moves to Real for £27m and has signed a six year deal with Los Merengues. The £27m fee (30 million euros) makes Coentrao the second most expensive defender in the world after Dani Alves, who plies his trade for Real’s arch rivals Barcelona.
Coentrao becomes Real’s fifth major summer acquisition after the Bundesliga pair of Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, Raphael Varane and Jose Callejon. He is expected to compete with Brazilian Marcelo for a starting spot in Jose Mourinho’s lineup.
Coentrao is rated as one of Portugal’s best full backs and at 23, is counted as one of their stars for the future. He also had a productive World Cup 2010, where Portugal reached the Round of 16 before losing to Spain.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.