Diarra denies money main motive for Anzhi move

LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 05: Lass Diarra #24 of Real Madrid CF controls the ball during the World Football Challenge match against Club Santos Laguna at Sam Boyd Stadium on August 5, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Real Madrid won 2-1. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)

Moscow, Sep 10 - New Anzhi Makhachkala signing Lassana Diarra has denied his move from Real Madrid football club was motivated by money.

Anzhi announced the transfer of the 27-year-old French international midfielder last week, the big-spending club’s highest-profile signing of the summer.

Neither Anzhi nor Real has disclosed the value of the transfer, though Spanish media have reported a sum of 5 million euros.

“I earn quite a lot. I’ve earned a lot of money before,” Diarra said at his official unveiling at RIA Novosti Monday.

“But if you want, come to one of my matches and take a look at how I play, how I give my all. At these games I’ll show all my qualities, then you will be able to say why I came here.”

Diarra has signed a three-year deal at Anzhi with the option of a further year.

Diarra, 27, switched to Real in 2008 from Portsmouth, but failed to become a regular starter, making 117 appearances and scoring four goals since then.

A French international since 2007, he has made 28 appearances but is yet to score a goal for the national team. Injury kept him out of Euro 2012.