ESPNsoccernet: Transfers

Raul Albiol has passed his medical with Real Madrid and will be presented as the Spanish giants' latest addition at the Bernabeu on Thursday evening.

The Spain international centre-back successfully completed a two-hour examination at the Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja as the finishing touches are put on his move from Valencia.

The 23-year-old, who was recently on Confederations Cup duty with Spain in South Africa, is reportedly set to cost Madrid in the region of £13m and will be presented at 2100 local time.

Carlos Diez, Real Madrid's medical chief, said after the tests: "He is in phenomenal shape. All the medical tests have given us a satisfactory result. He is in perfect condition and can start pre-season with normality.

"He is really eager. He wants to rest after the Confederations Cup, but he is really eager to start."

Diez also spoke about the serious car accident that Albiol was involved in whilst travelling to Madrid to sign on loan for Getafe in 2004, an incident that saw the player undergo two operations and lose his spleen.

When asked if that accident could affect Albiol's playing ability, Diez said: "Not at all. We do not suspect that he could have any problems from a sporting point of view."

Albiol, who has agreed a five-year deal, will be the second new arrival presented by Madrid this week following Tuesday's unveiling of Kaka.

Cristiano Ronaldo will follow suit on Monday as he completes his world-record £80m switch from Manchester United, while France striker Karim Benzema also looks to be on his way after Madrid struck a deal with Lyon.