© EuroFootball.com
"The president of Madrid, Ramon Calderon, stated that the successful acquisition of young Argentinean talent Fernando Gago is like winning a jackpot in a lottery.
The twenty-year-old Argentine talent successfully passed the medical examination and moved from "Boca Juniors" to Madrid's "Real" for a sum of 27 million U.S. dollars, signing a six-and-a-half-year contract.
"Today the winner of the lottery will be revealed (referring to the very popular Christmas lottery in Spain), but we have already won our jackpot. And he stands before you," - said R. Calderon at the presentation press conference on Friday.
"It wasn't easy to lure him here. But I want to thank him for giving up a lot of money just to be able to play for Real, even though so many clubs wanted him in their ranks," - rejoiced the president of Real.
J. Gago became the third South American to join the Royal club this year, following the acquisition of Argentine national team striker Gonzalo Higuain and Brazilian full-back Marcelo.
"The three young talents, along with our youth academy graduates, should become a new generation of players that will refresh the team and give new hope to the fans," said the president of Real.
"By combining the team's veterans with the youth, we will return the club to the path of success," said the nine-time European champions' president.
F. Gago is often compared to his namesake compatriot Fernando Redondo, who represented Real from 1994-2000, but the young talent spoke differently.
"I don't feel pressured by being compared to Redondo. He has always been my idol since childhood, but we are very different styles of players," said F. Gago. "I know that in Madrid I will have to get used to a different style of football, but I will do it slowly and patiently - like I did at Boca Juniors."
"Real is my dream club," the young Argentinean euphorically stated. "I hope to achieve a lot with them and showcase my abilities in European football."
