Source: Telegraph
Cristiano Ronaldo transfer: 'Manchester United agreed to sell six months ago'
It is only two weeks since Florentino Perez returned as Real's most powerful figure, after Calderón was forced to step down due to corruption allegations.
And Calderón, in an interview with the Sun newspaper, insists that he should be credited with laying the foundations for the incredible deal that will see the Portuguese winger move to the Bernabeu.
'We were in touch with the player. That is the important thing to know now,' Calderón said.
'As far as I knew, he got the agreement with the club. He wanted to leave at the end of this season.
'That was what he agreed with the club and therefore it was easy, knowing that the player wanted to come to Real Madrid, to get a deal let's say. We agreed everything and he decided to come.'
Calderón added: 'Let's say it was a gentlemen's agreement in order not to bother Manchester last season, because (United manager, Sir Alex) Ferguson also wanted to keep the player.
'For this reason we decided to wait until this season and that is what has happened.'
Asked outright if he were the one who signed Ronaldo, Calderón was modest in his assessment of his own role though clearly satisfied with his work.
'I did whatever I could to have Ronaldo at Real Madrid this next season,.' he said.
'That was the important thing to do. I did my best. I think it was OK to do that, to talk to him and try to convince him it was the best solution for his future.
'That's all. I don't mind that someone else is going to present him. That's not important. The important thing is Real Madrid. I've been working for this club and I'm very happy he's definitely here.'
