Diarra hungry for Madrid success

Lassana Diarra is ready to hit the ground running at Real Madrid CF after completing his estimated €20m move from Portsmouth FC on Monday.

The 23-year-old France midfielder has signed a contract running until summer 2013 after completing a medical at Madrid, continuing a career which took him from Le Havre AC to Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC before his switch last January to Portsmouth. “It is impossible to refuse an offer from Real Madrid,” Diarra said: “I feel capable. I have the abilities and I think Real Madrid is what I needed. I need to adapt to the Spanish game and do it quickly. I’ve played with big clubs, got good experience with the French national team, and I still want to improve.”

Diarra follows in the footsteps of another French defensive midfielder at Madrid, Claude Makelele, but played down comparisons with his former Chelsea FC team-mate. “It’s an honour to be compared to Makelele, but Makelele is Makelele and I am me,” Diarra said. “We have some things in common but I’m my own player. They compare me to him, but he came here when he was a little older – I’m younger.”

He could make his debut at home to Villarreal CF on 4 January as Madrid attempt to improve on their current Liga position of fifth, 12 points behind leaders FC Barcelona, under recently-appointed coach Juande Ramos. Madrid have been drawn against Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, and will host the first leg on 25 February before the tie concludes at Anfield on 10 March.

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