Arbeloa relishing Real challenge

30 July 2009 10:02
Alvaro Arbeloa has said he is delighted with his summer switch to Real Madrid. The 26-year-old defender admitted a strong desire to return to the club as soon as he learned of their interest. Having risen through the youth ranks at the Bernabeu, Arbeloa already has fond memories of playing for the Spanish giants, albeit on only a couple of occasions in the senior team. Now putting the finishing touches to his £3.5million transfer from Liverpool, the versatile defender admits he had no doubt as to where his future lies. Speaking of his "dream" move, he admitted that he could not wait to get on the pitch and start training with his new team-mates. Happy "Since the door was opened to the possibility of coming here I was hoping for it to happen with all my heart, and I'm very happy to be able to return," he told Real Madrid TV. "Not even in your best dreams can you imagine that you are going to be in the Real Madrid first team. "Moreover, when you leave the club with the feeling of not being able to be in the first team, you know that it's very difficult to return, so for me, when this opportunity presented itself, my first objective was to take it and fortunately I'm here. "I'm delighted and eager to take this opportunity and get out onto the pitch to train, to play and enjoy it." Arbeloa hopes that his experience with Liverpool will stand him in good stead for Real Madrid in their quest for European glory. He added: "Liverpool are a club with an impressive history, with lots of success. "In England they are the team with the most titles...So I've already experienced that pressure and I hope that will help me now with this challenge, which is clearly the biggest in my career."

Source: SKY_Sports