German unveiled as Real Madrid player - Kroos: "I'm the man to win titles"
Posted Friday, July 18, 2014 by Marca.com
Toni Kroos has been unveiled as Real Madrid's latest signing in the presidential box at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 24-year-old German uttered his first words as a 'Madridista' alongside Florentino Pérez: "I know how important it is for Real Madrid to win titles and I'm the man to do just that." He is the club's first new recruit for the 2014/15 campaign.
"I want to express my sadness regarding Di Stéfano's passing. I want to thank Real Madrid for giving me this opportunity and the possibility to play for this club which, for me, is the biggest in the world. I also thank Bayern for giving me the chance to join Real Madrid," said Kroos.
The World Cup winner had an action-packed morning with his medical and a visit to the club's Valdebebas training ground. There he met his new coach and teammates before posing with his new number eight shirt.
"I had made my mind up to leave Bayern Munich. I wanted to come to Real Madrid. That was the only option I considered. It's a step up from Bayern. Real have gone to great lengths to bring me in", Kroos stated during his unveiling.
"Only one thing was acceptable at Bayern: winning trophies. When I arrived here I immediately knew the same thing applies. I know that I've joined a highly successful club and I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure that success continues. Winning trophies with this team is an exciting challenge for me. My target is to win every competition", he added.
The midfielder reiterated that he had made his decision a while ago: "I can't tell you the exact date. There has been contact for a long time, but the World Cup was on the horizon and that was what was most important. I knew Real were interested and I was interested in joining them. I told Joachim Löw as much in Brazil because he had a right to know. He was happy for me and congratulated me. He told me Real Madrid are a top-class club".
Kroos also stressed that his departure wasn't prompted by his relationship with Pep Guardiola or Bayern's Champions League semi-final defeat at the hands of 'Los Blancos': "It's nothing to do with that. It's simple: Real Madrid are the only reason I'm here. I wanted to play here. I didn't have any problems with Guardiola; in fact, his style of play benefited me".
Photos
More»Glam TV host Diletta Leotta begs Loris Karius to QUIT Newcastle
Thursday March 28 2024Fans stunned by Astrid Wett’s outfit
Thursday March 28 2024[PICTURE SPECIAL] England 2-2 Belgium
Wednesday March 27 2024
Your Say