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Real Madrid is arguably the biggest club in Europe, boasting 34 La Liga titles and 13 European Cups. Los Blancos have an illustrious history of being the most dominant club and attracting the finest footballers to don their royal white kit.
It goes without saying that Real Madrid have been blessed to enjoy some of the all-time greats playing for them over the years. The La Liga giants are known for breaking transfer records in order to sign the best footballers to become their Galactico signing.
Real Madrid have also enjoyed some bargain signings in their history
Renowned for their lucrative signings, Real Madrid have also struck bargain deals throughout their history. On this list, we take a look at some of their legendary footballers who were signed on the cheap.
Without further delay, let us take a look at the five greatest bargain signings in Real Madrid history.
#5 Ferenc Puskas
Ferenc Puskas is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers to play football, boasting an illustrious career with Real Madrid. The Hungarian was a prolific forward who was the best goalscorer of his era, leaving a lasting legacy for his club and country. He scored 203 club goals in his career, with 199 of them coming for Real Madrid.
Puskas was handed a ban from football when Real Madrid came to secure the services of the player. This was because of his refusal to return to Budapest after the 1956 European Cup.
The legendary centre-forward had a reputation for being overweight which didn't stop Santiago Bernabeu from signing the player for just $5,000.
Signing for Los Blancos at the age of 31, Puskas took the football world by storm. He won the Pichichi award four times in his eight-year tenure. He helped Real Madrid dominate the European circuit with his outrageous goalscoring.
#4 Toni Kroos
One of the greatest midfielders of the modern era, Toni Kroos was another bargain signing in Real Madrid's history. The German, along with evergreen Luka Modric, have been the players making Los Blancos tick on the pitch with their ability to dominate midfield.
Kroos is blessed with extraterrestrial accuracy and the ability to dictate the tempo of the game. He has played a crucial role in Real Madrid's unprecedented three-peat in Europe between 2016 to 2018. The 31-year old keeps pulling the strings at the Santiago Bernabeu with his caliber.
Kroos was signed for a nominal fee of €25 million in 2014 after he turned down a contract extension with Bayern Munich. The midfielder has repaid that amount and more, having etched his name on the football history books.
#3 Fernando Hierro
Fernando Hierro is one of the most decorated centre-backs in Real Madrid history. The defender was among the very best of his era, serving Los Blancos relentlessly for 14 years. He was signed for a modest fee of €8,11,000 from Real Valladolid in 1989 and became a legend for the all whites.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Hierro was also renowned for his goalscoring prowess. The Spaniard bagged 126 goals in over 600 games for Real Madrid. He won the Champions League thrice and La Liga five times, among other notable accolades.
Hierro was a versatile player and a mainstay for Real Madrid during his tenure at the club, surely a bargain considering his legacy at the club. There was another significant defender in the club's history who followed in his footsteps.
#2 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos will go down as one of the greatest captains in Real Madrid's rich history. A centre-back by trade, the Spaniard defined some of the club's biggest moments with his majestic displays during his 16-year tenure at the club. Like Hierro, he packed solid defensive prowess with a penchant for scoring goals.
Ramos is only the second defender ever to score over 100 goals in over 650 games for the club behind Roberto Carlos. The 35-year old possessed an aerial threat from set-pieces and had a knack for his marauding forward runs.
Ramos arrived from Sevilla for €27 million in 2005 which was the record transfer for a Spanish defender. He went on to win La Liga five times and the Champions League four times, among other notable accolades. The defender has scored in two Champions League finals, which denotes his legacy with Real Madrid.
#1 Alfredo Di Stefano
Alfredo Di Stefano is one of the greatest to ever don the royal white jersey. The legendary Argentine was a major orchestrator of Real Madrid's European dominance. He won two Ballon d'Ors for his exploits, once in 1957 and the second in 1959.
Di Stefano immortalized his legacy by helping Real Madrid win five consecutive European cups, scoring in each of the five European Cup finals. During his 10-year stint with the club, the forward also left his mark in La Liga. The five-time Pichichi winner scored goals for fun and helped the club win eight league titles.
Di Stefano's transfer was a controversial one with arch-rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid fighting for his signature. €24000 is reportedly what it took to secure his services, which is undoubtedly a bargain for Real Madrid.
