Real Madrid's newest signing Gareth Bale arrived in the Spanish capital at approximately 01:30 (11:30GMT) on Monday (September 2) putting an end to the transfer window's longest-running saga by joining the club for a world transfer record fee of 100 million euros (£90 million).

To the relief of almost everyone involved, Spurs, Real Madrid, the player and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy issued statements saying the deal for the Wales international was done, with just the formality of a medical in Madrid to come on Monday (September 2), transfer deadline day.

The fee eclipses the previous record of 94 million euros that Real paid for Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009 and for that money the Spanish aristocrats are buying an outstanding young player who won games for Spurs almost single-handedly last season.

It also confirms yet again that when Real target a player they normally sign him, even if the other club are reluctant to sell, as Spurs steadfastly were.

The departing Bale will be hard to replace and in a statement issued on the Spurs website, the player said the English club had helped make him the player he was today and it would always remain in his heart.

Bale, who scored 21 Premier League goals for Spurs last season, was named England's Footballer of the Year by football writers and the Player of the Year by his peers.

Presented by Adam Justice

Read more: https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/502966/20130902/real-madrid-transfer-news-rumours-bale-tottenham.htm