Alonso completes Real signings, says Valdano

Real Madrid have ended their search for new signings with the deal to land Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso from Liverpool and will now focus on trimming their squad, director general Jorge Valdano said yesterday.

Alonso flew into Madrid in the morning and passed a medical, Real said on their website, ahead of completing a reported €30 million transfer.

He trained with the rest of the squad yesterday evening, before joining the club's tour to North America which leaves today.

"We understood Xabi Alonso was an important player to complete our squad, and it was worth Real Madrid fighting for him," Valdano told radio station Cadena Ser.

"The club needed a shake-up. Some very good players have come in to strengthen every position and the fans are very excited.

"With this move we end the search for new players. We continue searching for an exit for those who are surplus to requirements."

Having spent around €250 million to lure eight players including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema to the Bernabeu, Real have until the end of August to cut Manuel Pellegrini's squad back to 25 players.

Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and forwards Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Alvaro Negredo have been linked with interest from clubs in Germany, Italy and England.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted he was resigned to losing Alonso to Real Madrid three months ago.

The 27-year-old wanted to leave after falling out with Benitez last year when the Anfield chief tried to sell Alonso to finance a move for England midfielder Gareth Barry.

Benitez was keen to keep Alonso this time but he knew that wouldn't be possible when the former Real Sociedad star asked for a transfer three months ago.

"We would have liked to have kept him but as soon as he told us that he wanted to leave we started working, looking for players and trying to do the best deal for the club," Benitez told reporters.