Argentina striker Javier Saviola said on Friday that a vote
of confidence from Real Madrid's new coach Bernd Schuster had been
a key factor in his decision to join the Spanish champions. The
25-year-old refused a contract extension at Barcelona to make the
move to their number one rivals, after having dropped out of favour
since the arrival of coach Frank Rijkaard in 2003.
'It's important the coach has asked for me. Having the confidence
of the coach and knowing he is going to back me is vital,' Saviola
said as he was unveiled as a Real player. 'I worked hard, trained
hard and did all I could at Barcelona but sometimes you just don't
get the chances.'
Saviola has signed a four-year contract with Real but recognised
that simply moving did not guarantee him regular first-team
football. He was third choice behind Samuel Eto'o and Eidur
Gudjohnsen at Barcelona last season and despite some impressive
moments, especially in the King's Cup where he scored seven goals,
he rarely featured in the starting line-up.
Before that, he had been loaned to Monaco in 2004/5 and to Sevilla
in 2005/6. Real already boast Ruud van Nistelrooy, Raul, Gonzalo
Higuain and Roberto Soldado in their front line, but Saviola
remained positive about his chances. 'It isn't easy at clubs like
Real or Barca but there will be healthy competition and I am sure I
will have opportunities next season,' he added.
Real president Ramon Calderon welcomed the player to the Bernabeu
saying: 'He has all the qualities we value here of ability, quality
and sacrifice and on top of that is a natural goal-scorer. He is a
great player who is going to triumph here.' In listing the player's
past achievements at international level and while in Argentina
with River Plate, Calderon skilfully avoided making any reference
to his last six years at Barcelona.
Saviola is one of a rare breed to make the move from Catalunya to
the capital, following in the footsteps of players such as
Schuster, Michael Laudrup and Luis Figo. 'I don't feel like a
traitor. There is a great rivalry between the clubs but at a
personal level my old and new colleagues and many Barca fans have
all been very good to me. The past is in the past and I just want
to play football,' Saviola said.
Saviola is Real's third signing of the close season after defenders
Christoph Metzelder and Pepe were presented earlier in the
week.
