Real Madrid have agreed to sign defender Raul Albiol from Valencia on a five-year contract, the Primera Liga club said yesterday, the latest catch in their multi-million euro spending spree.

The deal will be completed next week once the 23-year-old Spain international, who is at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, completes a medical and signs his contract, Real said on their website.

Spanish media reported the transfer fee was around €15 million.

Albiol will become the second confirmed signing by new Real president Florentino Perez following his purchase of Brazil playmaker Kaka from Milan for €67 million. Perez has also bid £80 million for Man. United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, with the deal expected to be completed in the next few days.

Albiol, who suffered a serious car crash in 2004 which left him without a spleen, is likely to partner Pepe in defence.

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