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Real Madrid have signed Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao for a fee in the region of 30 million Euros. The official websites of both clubs have announced the dal as concluded, thus bringing an end to one of the most long drawn out, protracted transfer sagas of the summer so far.
The official website of Madrid passed the following statement-
“Real Madrid C. F. and SL Benfica have reached an agreement for the transfer of Portuguese player Fabio Coentrao to the Spanish club for the next six seasons.”
This was after a statement was released in the Portuguese stock market where Benfica said that the deal would be finalised after Coentrao passed his medical examinations.
Coentrao, who can operate both as a left back and a left winger, had been at Benfica since 2008. He hardly received any playing opportunities in the nascent stages of his career, and went on multiple loan spells which turned out to be average at best. The first loan spell was at C.D Nacional and the next one was at freshly relegated Real Zaragoza, where his playing time was practically non-existent. He also came close to signing for Eredivisie club Feyenoord, but chose to stay on at Benfica instead.
That turned out to be a very astute decision, as he had his breakthrough season in 2009. He appeared in 43 games and was voted Potuguese League Breakthrough Player of the Year as Benfica won the League and Cup double. His searing pace down the left hand side and deadly crossing ability would be an asset to any team, so it’s no surprise that Real Madrid were monitoring him throughout the summer.
It is believed that the tipping point of the deal was reached when Coentrao travelled to the capital on Monday to push the deal through. The deal signed is a long term one and Real Madrid will hope that Coentrao will be able to justify his price tag in the seasons to come.
