Real Madrid signs Kovacic from Inter

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has explained why the La Liga giants spent €35 million on new midfielder Mateo Kovacic.

Kovacic was also full of praise for his team-mates, insisting Cristiano Ronaldo is the club’s best player and stating that he can not wait to team up with fellow Croatian Luka Modric.

Real Madrid officially presented new midfielder Mateo Kovacic to fans at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Wednesday.

“I’m at the biggest club in the world and it’s very special”.

“It’s not for me to decide my position; that’s up to the coach”.

The former Spain global, who played for Inter for nine years between 1961 and 1970, says that the Nerazzurri are making a mistake and it’s similar to letting Andrea Pirlo leave the club.

“We’re all sorry about it: myself, the president, the management and the players themselves”, he added after Sunday’s 0-0 draw with AEK Athens in a pre-season friendly.

Kovacic’s arrival could see some players depart the club before the transfer window ends, with Lucas Silva and Asier Illarramendi appearing to be surplus to requirements given the number of midfielders available to Benitez. My dream was always to play for a great team like Real Madrid. I had no doubts. I’m just getting started. He is a great player and i’m so happy to share locker room with him.

Kovacic’s transfer was finally confirmed at a press conference at the Bernabeu, where Perez told his latest acquisition: “This is now your home”.

Asked why he had chosen Madrid over potential interest from Barcelona, he replied: “Because Madrid is the biggest club in the world”.

He first got to know his new Blancos teammate as a youngster at Dinamo Zagreb, when Modric, 29, was already in the first team for the Croatian club.