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Robinho passes medical at 'pseudo-Brazilian' Real

August 26, 2005 17:53 IST

Brazilian forward Robinho passed a medical at Real Madrid on Friday before signing a five-year deal with the nine-times European champions.

The 21-year-old, who joins Real for $30 million from Santos, will be presented to the media at the club's Santiago Bernabeu stadium at 1130 GMT.

Real's chief of medical staff Alfonso del Corral told the club's website that Brazilian players usually needed time to adapt to European football.

However, he was confident Robinho would make a more rapid transition because of the Brazilian contingent at the club.

Real are coached by former Santos boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Brazilian internationals Julio Baptista, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos are in the first team squad.

"Brazilian players sometimes need a few months or even up to a year to acclimatise, but this year Real Madrid is a pseudo-Brazilian team," said Del Corral.

"Robinho will have a coach he knows, fitness staff he knows and play alongside team mates from the Brazilian national side. I think he will be very comfortable right from the start.

"With the support of the fans, that can't wait for him to join the team, his adaptation will be very quickly."

Robinho scored twice in his final home match for Santos in their 4-3 Brazilian championship win over Figueirense on Sunday and played his last game for the club in a 3-2 win at Paysandu on Wednesday.

He arrived at Madrid airport at 0400 GMT where he was welcomed by a handful of Real supporters.

Source: REUTERS
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