Madrid, Spain – After months of speculation, Real Madrid confirmed Sunday that the club has signed Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur for a world-record fee believed to be just over $132 million.
Bale has signed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants and will be presented to the media at a press conference at 7 a.m. (Eastern).
"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye," Bale said in a statement to Tottenham's official website. "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.
"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."
The 24-year-old will join Cristiano Ronaldo, whose transfer to Real Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 set the previous record fee with $105 million, at the Bernabeu as the Merengues look to regain the La Liga title from Barcelona.
At Tottenham, Bale established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting talents, scoring 21 goals in 34 league matches in his final season with the club. His impressive displays with Spurs earned him PFA Footballer of the Year awards in 2011 and 2013, and he has recorded 11 goals in 41 appearances for the Welsh national team.
