Football
ESPN staff 9y

Lucas Silva gave up cash to join Real Madrid from Cruzeiro

Lucas Silva has told Marca he waived his right to 10 percent of his transfer fee to secure his move from Cruzeiro to Real Madrid.

Madrid finally completed the signing of the Brazilian midfielder last week after long negotiations, with a fee reported to be in the region of 14 million euros.

Lucas Silva, who was also reported to have attracted interest from Arsenal, said the move was a "dream come true" and confirmed he had made the financial sacrifice to secure the switch.

"It was best for all concerned and at this stage all I wanted was to play for Real Madrid," he told the Madrid-based newspaper. "I've been given a unique opportunity and I want to make the most of it."

The player's father had said last month that his son was keen to move in the summer rather than January, but Lucas Silva insisted he was happy to arrive ahead of schedule.

"It's true the transfer has gone through several stages, but I think the reason I've signed for Real Madrid now is based on the needs of the team," he said. "I said before that I was willing to go now or to wait -- it wasn't really in my hands.

"In the end, everything's worked out so I can go now and I'm delighted with the decision. I can't wait to get to Madrid."

He said he had not yet spoken to Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti but felt ready to make an instant impact for the world champions.

"Just now I was in the preseason at my club, but I'm in great physical shape," he said. "I think I'll be ready for the manager after two training sessions to settle in, but I'll have to arrive, get down to work, and then the coaching staff will decide. I'm really keen to play."

He added: "Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world, but I feel up for the challenge and I'm really excited. I know I'm going to a club where there's a lot of competition, who play in a very tough league and the Champions League, but I'm ready for all of that."

Lucas Silva's arrival has added to doubts overĀ Asier Illarramendi's future at the Bernabeu, with the Spanish midfielder saying in AS before the weekend: "If he comes or if the club says something, they'll tell me what my options are. Right now I don't know anything. The club hasn't said anything."

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