02/07/2003
Beckham passes Madrid medical to seal move
By Kevin Fylan

MADRID, July 1 (Reuters) - England captain David Beckham passed an exhaustive medical examination on Tuesday, effectively sealing his move from Manchester United to become the latest jewel in Real Madrid's crown.

"He has passed," said Alfonso del Corral, the doctor who examined Beckham at a private clinic near Madrid. "There is nothing to stop him playing for Real Madrid."

While the outcome was still subject to the results of blood and urine samples, del Corral told a news conference: "In our opinion he's in perfect condition."

Beckham, one of the world's best-known and most marketable soccer players, had flown by private jet a few hours earlier to the military airbase of Torrejon near the Spanish capital where he was met by officials of his new club.

Amid tight security and a media frenzy, Beckham was then whisked away for the medical exam, the last formality to completing his move to the Spanish champions in a deal worth up to 35 million euros ($40.40 million).

Beckham is due to be presented as a Real Madrid player at 1000 GMT on Wednesday.

The midfielder, wearing a white jacket and torn blue jeans and with his hair swept back, looked relaxed as he smiled for photographers but said nothing to waiting reporters.

He was driven away from the clinic after the medical in a silver Lexus four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Real Madrid's website said the player was accompanied by his wife Victoria, although the former Spice Girl was not sighted by Reuters' photographers at the air base.

Beckham, 28, enjoys popstar-like adulation from millions of fans around the world and his every move is followed avidly by the British tabloid press.

The Spanish media caught the mood, reporting excitedly on his arrival in Spain but there was an as-yet lukewarm response from Real Madrid fans with only about 30 waiting outside the base to greet him.

Beckham was surrounded by minders on his way out of the airport and his car was escorted by police motorcyclists on the drive from Torrejon, some 20 kms (12 miles) outside the city, to the Zarzuela clinic on the north road to La Coruna.

OVER THE TOP

Autograph hunter Tamara Cantero, a teenager accompanied by her mother, was one of a handful of fans waiting outside the private clinic, where journalists outnumbered fans by about four to one.

She said her favourite player was Real Madrid's Spanish international striker Raul. "Its a bit over the top, he's got more bodyguards than the king," she said of Beckham.

Beckham is the latest big name to join the nine-times European champions, who already boast one of the most impressive arrays of soccer stars ever assembled.

The self-styled "galactic" team includes Brazilians Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, Portuguese winger Luis Figo, French playmaker Zinedine Zidane as well as Raul.

After weeks of speculation, Real did a deal with Manchester United to sign Beckham for a fee of between 25 million and 35 million euros, depending on the Spanish club's performances in the Champions League over the four seasons of his contract.

In an article on Real Madrid's website on Tuesday, Roberto Carlos said Beckham was one of the very best players and "we will do everything necessary for him to adapt to the team quickly and normally."

The team would now have two good-looking players, he joked. "Until now, I was the only one," he said.

SHIRT NUMBER

One of the questions still to be resolved is the shirt number Beckham will wear. The number four shirt of departing captain and centre-back Fernando Hierro is the only free shirt at the moment but that could change if Fernando Morientes is transferred before the start of the new campaign.

That could see Ronaldo taking the number nine and Beckham being handed number 11, but it is unlikely to be decided before his presentation on Wednesday.

The number seven worn by Beckham for both Manchester United and England is held at Real by Raul and is not up for grabs.