Real's preseason training camp
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-08-05 15:38

Figo to sign 2-year deal with Inter
(China Daily)

MADRID: Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo has agreed to sign a two-year deal with Inter Milan, Spanish media reported on Wednesday.

Radio Marca said the 32-year-old Portuguese international would travel to Milan on Thursday to have a medical and sign a contract with the Serie A club for a reported salary of 4.5 million euros ($5.54 million) a year.

The former World and European Player of the Year, who fell out with Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo after being consigned to the bench for the latter part of last season, had been given permission to negotiate with other clubs.

Figo joined Real in 2000 in one of the most controversial transfers in Spanish football history when newly elected club president Florentino Perez paid a then world record $56 million to buy him out of his contract with arch-rivals Barcelona.

The midfielder, viewed as Real's first Galactico signing, helped them to the league title in his first season at the club and played an important part in their victories at the 2002 European Cup and the 2003 Spanish championship.

Figo, who had a year to run on his Real contract, agreed recently to come out of international retirement and has made it clear he wants to continue playing for Portugal until next year's World Cup.

If he does sign for Inter, he would be the fourth Real Madrid player to join the Serie A side in the last 12 months.

Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso joined Inter last year and compatriots Santiago Solari and Walter Samuel have followed in his tracks during the close season.

(China Daily 08/05/2005 page15)

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