Heinze To Join Real Madrid

Real Madrid have agreed an undisclosed fee with Manchester United for the transfer of Gabriel Heinze.

The man who quickly turned from hero to villain with his demands of getting transferred to Liverpool is finally off. I, as one of Heinze's former admirers, regret that things have come to such an end but it's his fault only.

'After playing for a number of clubs all over the world, Heinze arrives at Real Madrid,' Real's website announced.

'He adds commitment and intensity to the defence, bringing versatility and talent to the club.'

Of course, Gaby's place in the Real team is far from guaranteed, with Cannavaro, Pepe, Ramos and Metzelder in central defense, Marcelo on the left and it remains to be seen whether they plan to play Royston Drenthe as an attacking full-back, now they have secured Arjen Robben, too.

But I'll be magnanimous: I hope he'll have a place in the team and I hope he'll be a success at Madrid. I must say thanks for his first season but he shouldn't expect anything less than open hostility should he ever visit Old Trafford again.

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