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Monday 2 September 2013

Madrid falls in love with the £85million man: Thousands turn out to see Gareth Bale become the world's most expensive footballer

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Gareth Bale finally signed the £83.5million contract that made him the most expensive footballer ever in front of a stadium packed to the rafters with adoring Real Madrid fans.
But despite the adulation - not to mention weekly pay packet worth £256,000 - the quiet lad from Cardiff is expected to still prefer nights in with his family watching a DVD than hitting the Spanish capital's many exclusive nightspots.
In broken Spanish, the £85.3million player told a near 85,000 capacity stadium: 'It's a dream to be here and to play for Real Madrid. I appreciate this welcome.'


Trickery: Thousands of fans flocked to the Bernabeu to get their first glimpse of the Welsh man in a Real Madrid shirt
Trickery: Thousands of fans flocked to the Bernabeu to get their first glimpse of Bale in a Real Madrid shirt
Delight: Bale was joined at the Bernabeu with his long-term girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones and their daughter Alba Violet Bale
Delight: Bale was joined at the Bernabeu with his long-term girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones and their daughter Alba Violet Bale
Silky: Bale shows gives a demonstration of the sorts of skills that have helped make him the most expensive player of all time
Silky: Bale shows gives a demonstration of the sorts of skills that have helped make him the most expensive player of all time
Crowd pleaser: The man from Cardiff will now ply his trade in front of 85,000 fanatical fans at the Spanish giant
Crowd pleaser: The man from Cardiff will now ply his trade in front of 85,000 fanatical fans at the Spanish giant
Flanked: Bale was joined by members of his family as he finally became a Real Madrid player. Pictured here with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez
Flanked: Bale was joined by members of his family as he finally became a Real Madrid player. Pictured here with Real Madrid President Florentino Perez
Ecstatic: Tens of thousands of screaming fans packed into the Bernabeu to welcome the most expensive player on earth
Ecstatic: Tens of thousands of screaming fans packed into the Bernabeu to welcome the most expensive player on earth
Bale flew to Madrid this morning for a medical. At about 12.30pm the softly spoken Welshman made his first public appearance as a Real Madrid player, a dream he had harboured since he was a boy.
Earlier today, the 24-year-old said: 'I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.'
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez likes to put on a show, so the 'Bale box' was been hastily erected after its temporary deconstruction.
 
The Welsh wizard then pulled on his number 11 shirt and ran out on to the pitch, following in the footsteps of the likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Cristiano Ronaldo, and David Beckham.
Hundreds of lenses were trained on former Tottenham star, and it is fair to say he will never have experienced anything like this before.
Record breaker: Gareth Bale is in the process of having a medical ahead of his official unveiling that is due to take place in front of a capacity crowd at the Bernabeu at midday
Record breaker: Gareth Bale is in the process of having a medical ahead of his official unveiling that is due to take place in front of a capacity crowd at the Bernabeu at midday
New arrival: Bale arrived in Madrid this morning for his medical. He is about to be unveiled at the Bernabeu
New arrival: Bale arrived in Madrid this morning for his medical. He is about to be unveiled at the Bernabeu
He's here: Real Madrid's new recruit Gareth Bale poses with fans after arriving at Barajas Airport
He's here: Real Madrid's new recruit Gareth Bale poses with fans after arriving at Barajas Airport

Bale certainly does not seem over-awed by the prospect of becoming the most expensive player in history, however.
He may have broken all records with his move to the Spanish giant, Gareth Bale is a man of less than lavish tastes and the quietly spoken father-of-one does not appear to have the thirst for the luxury trappings that his huge salary could afford him.
Instead, the 24-year-old winger prefers to 'enjoy a meal with his family'  - more likely than not at his favourite chain restaurant Nando's - than a night out clubbing.
He claims to have no celebrity phone numbers in his address book, and that he rarely receives female attention as he 'rarely goes out', The Times reports. 
Bale is in a long term relationship with his childhood sweetheart Emma Rhys-Jones, who he met at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff
The couple have an 11-month-old daughter called Alba Violet Bale - a tribute to his now former manager Andre Villas-Boas - who was born in University Hospital of Wales last October.
She is said to still live in Cardiff with their Alba Violet.
The love heart celebration he makes with his hands after scoring is a tribute to Rhys-Jones.
Family man: Gareth Bale with his childhood sweetheart, Emma Rhys Jones, and their baby
Family man: Gareth Bale with his childhood sweetheart, Emma Rhys Jones, and their baby
Dedication: Bale named his baby Alba Violet Bale (AVB) in tribute to his former manager Andre Villas-Boas
Dedication: Bale named his baby Alba Violet Bale (AVB) in tribute to his former manager Andre Villas-Boas
He may have broken all records with his £86million move to Real Madrid, but Gareth Bale (pictured with childhood sweetheart and girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones) prefers to spend time with his family than a luxury lifestyle
He may have broken all records with his £86million move to Real Madrid, but Gareth Bale (pictured with childhood sweetheart and girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones) prefers to spend time with his family than a luxury lifestyle

Bale was born in Cardiff in 1989 to parents Frank, a caretaker, and Debbie, an operations manager.
While at school, his PE teacher Gwyn Morris made him play one-touch football against the other boys using only his weaker foot to improve his game.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live this morning, Mr Morris said: 'There's no template for players of his ability now, it takes a lot of dedication , attitude and commitment to achieve what Gareth's done and he certainly had those attributes.
'I'm so pleased he's achieving his dream. He had tremendous athleticism, and the best part about it is he played all sports.'
Bill Tout, 82, still lives next door to Bale's parents.
He said: 'Hardly a day went by that Gareth wasn't kicking a ball around in his garden - and most of the balls landed in mine.
'I used to call him all the names under the sun especially when one night he kicked the ball 14 times into my garden. 
'But I threw them back every time so he could keep playing.' Humble beginnings: Gareth Bale's parents modest 3 bedroom semi detached house (left) in Cardiff, where the superstar in the making grew up
Humble beginnings: Gareth Bale's parents modest 3 bedroom semi detached house (left) in Cardiff, where the superstar in the making grew up

Jake Thomson shared a bed and breakfast with Bale during their days together in Southampton.
Mr Thomson fondly recalled the 'mummy's boy', who phoned him in the morning to make sure he had got out of bed.
He said: 'Gareth is a total mummy’s boy, although I can understand why because his mum is lovely.
'Everybody else had an alarm clock but Debbie used to ring Gareth to get him out of bed every day.
'I would be amazed if that did not continue when he moves to Spain. Maybe she will have to reverse the charges.'
Bale was given his first big break by veteran Southampton FC youth scout Rod Ruddick, who spotted the youngster as an eight-year-old in 1998 playing for Cardiff Civil Service in a six-a-side tournament in Newport.
Rod recommended him to Southampton, who signed him aged nine and in 2006 Bale became the second youngest player ever to appear for the Saints.
He said: 'Even at the age of eight Gareth had fantastic ability. When you sign a player at that age it is because they have great potential and he has just kept getting better.'
Superstar: Bale may now be the world's most expensive player, but Rod Ruddick first spotted him as an promising eight-year-old playing for Cardiff Civil Service
Superstar: Bale may now be the world's most expensive player, but Rod Ruddick first spotted him as an promising eight-year-old playing for Cardiff Civil Service

It is perhaps this relatively humble upbringing which set the tone for his sensible attitude to money. In an interview with the Sun in 2010, he said his impending rise to stardom was unlikely to change him.
He said: 'You obviously buy the cars you like but it's not a long career. The most important thing is not to waste your money.'
His apparent shunning of the lavish lifestyle preferred by many superstar footballers is in stark contrast to that of his new teammate - and formerly the world's most expensive player - Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed for £80m in 2009.
Ronaldo, who has a supermodel partner, has dabbled in modelling and is often pictured enjoying the high life aboard a luxury yacht. 
The only slight nod to vanity that Bale has made is reportedly having an operation to pin back his ears - and finally allow him to try a shorter hair cut.
He reportedly does now drive a Porsche - a sign that he is maybe beginning to embrace a more 'traditional footballer's lifestyle'. 
On the move: Gareth Bale, out in London on Saturday, has finally completed his move to Real Madrid
On the move: Gareth Bale, on a rare night out in London on Saturday, has finally completed his move to Real Madrid

But the man who once took his washing home to his mother when his own machine broke down, appears to still have the humility which has earned him a legion of fans.
Upon arriving in Madrid late on Sunday night, he said: 'I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players - and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity.
'I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams but I can honestly say this is my dream come true.
'I would not be at the level I am today were it not for Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times. Tottenham will always be in my heart and I'm sure this will be a successful season for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life.' 
He added on the club website: ''I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye. We've had some special times together over the years and I've loved every minute of it.
'I would like to thank everyone at the club, the chairman, board, staff, coaches and players – and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity.'
Real erected a stage on the pitch ahead of the transfer last week, hoping to announce the star's arrival, but were made to wait as Spurs chairman Daniel Levy played hardball. Bale will be unveiled at midday UK time.

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