Gravesen completes Real move

Thomas Gravesen has spoken of his "dream" move after signing for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Thomas Gravesen has spoken of his "dream" move after signing for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Everton today conceded defeat in their bid to hold on to their Danish midfield play-maker.

The 28-year-old was tonight unveiled by the Spanish giants after passing a medical to complete a £2.45million move.

"I am very proud and pleased to be here. Another club has put its confidence in me," said Gravesen.

"This is a dream for me. Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world.

Real trail Primera Liga leaders Barcelona by seven points, but president Florentino Perez believes Gravesen can help them close the gap.

Perez said: "We have signed the best player in Denmark. Thomas Gravesen had chances to go to play for other clubs in England and Italy.

"But he ruled that out for the chance to play for Real Madrid.

"Everybody says he is competitive and a real fighter; effort is part of our club's values, but he is also a quality player.

"He already knows the German and English leagues and he's the player we've been missing. We are delighted."

Everton had not wanted to sell Gravesen - but with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, they could have risked losing him for nothing.

Boss David Moyes believes in such circumstances the deal is a good one for his club.

The manager told Everton's official website, www.evertonfc.com: "We didn't want to lose him. We had a right to turn around and say, 'You're not going'.

"But we've taken 3.5million euros, plus a 20% sell-on fee and a buy-back clause for him - plus one or two odds and ends to go on top of that deal.

"So with six months of his contract to go, with a player who wants to leave, it was the best deal we could get out of the situation."

Gravesen, who will officially be presented to the Spanish press tomorrow, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Bernabeu. Everton chief executive Keith Wyness admits that once the offer came in it became very difficult to keep the player.

"No one at Everton wanted to lose Thomas Gravesen," he said.

"We did everything we could to keep him.

"Once it became clear Thomas had set his heart on a move to Real Madrid we fought hard for the best possible deal. To that end, I believe we have been successful."