Faubert promises to bring speed to Real Madrid

MADRID (AFP) – French midfielder Julien Faubert said Monday he will contribute speed to Real Madrid as he was officially presented as the spanish club's new player after he completed his six-month loan from West Ham.

"I think I can bring something extra to the team, my speed, my versatility, if I did not believe it I would not be here," the 25-year-old, who scored on his only appearance for France, told a news conference.

Faubert, who saw a move to AS Rome fall apart in 2007 when he played for Bordeaux, added the move was a giant leap forward as he received his new number 18 jersey from Real legend Alfredo di Stefano at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

"At Bordeaux I was supposed to sign for Rome but it didn't happen. It is a good comeback for me to be at Real Madrid. I am very happy to be here and it is an honour to receive the jersey from Stefano," he said.

Faubert, who is under contract with West Ham through 2012, will stay at Real until June. The defending Spanish champions will then have the option to sign him for a further three years.

He played for Cannes and then Bordeaux before heading to East London in 2007 - but an Achilles tendon rupture kept him sidelined shortly afterwards and he has not featured this season.

Atlético Madrid President: Sergio Agüero Is Staying

Enrique Cerezo left no doubts today about the future of Sergio Agüero after he declared that the Argentine striker is not going anywhere.

When asked about the future of the player, the Atlético Madrid president confirmed that he is absolutely sure that he will not leave the club.

"The truth is that I do not even know the cancellation clause on the contract of Agüero, but is not something that worries me at this time", he told Marca.

"I am very clear, very clear, that he is going to continue with Atlético Madrid, you [the press] are the ones that do not see clearly.

" A clearly frustrated Cerezo then went on to discuss the rumours concerning Real Madrid’s rumoured move for Agüero, saying that at the moment everyone is calm, and he doesn't care what their arch-rivals are doing.

"Atlético Madrid are very relaxed about the matter; at this moment we only have the problem of results," he began. "It does not matter to me who is going to be the president of the Real Madrid, nor if they speak about signing Agüero.

I do ask that you do not ask this question every 24 hours though." Despite the strong words from the president there is no doubt that things are not great at the club right now and, should they finish outside of the top four, they will find it hard to hold onto Agüero.

However, Cerezo insisted that there is no crisis at the club, and that he is fully behind coach Javier Aguirre. "I am absolutely behind the coach,” he assured. “I have not listened to the statements of Forlán, but what the players say is true.

I believe that they are the ones who need to show what they are really worth. This is a very strong team and the last results have been because of everyone, however, there is no crisis.

" The president also spoke briefly about the upcoming Champions League match with Porto and, whilst he declared he is not thinking about it, he says he is confident his side will progress.

"For the time being, I am not concerned with the game against Porto, as we have the match on Sunday against Valladolid. I know that the team is mentally prepared though and will get through," he concluded.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com

Real Madrid star Javier Saviola to join Portsmouth on loan

By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 6:01 PM on 26th January 2009

Argentine international Javier Saviola is set to join Portsmouth on loan.

Saviola has snubbed offers from Newcastle and Everton after being persuaded by boss Tony Adams to help out the south coast club in their relegation fight.

The 27-year-old will watch Portsmouth's Premier League home game with Aston Villa from the Fratton Park stands before sealing a six-month deal.

Saviola becomes Portsmouth's sixth signing of the January window and follows the captures of West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins and Porto youngster Pele.

Manager Adams, who admits looking at 150 players, said: 'I would still like a midfielder and a striker and hopefully we can get them in this week. We need some bodies.

'We have a budget here. I do not have £40 million pounds to spend and most of my work will be done in the summer.'

Mullins, 29, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract after Portsmouth agreed a £1 million pounds fee with West Ham.

Attacking midfielder Pele, 19, joins on a six-month loan.

Former Barcelona and River Plate striker Saviola, nicknamed the little Rabbit, has scored 12 goals in 44 games for Argentina but has made only 16 appearances since joining Madrid in 2007.

Florentino Perez's Real Madrid Black List

According to Sport, Florentino Pérez has prepared a list of players he wants to get rid of should he reclaim the presidency at Real Madrid:

Jerzy Dudek: Will not renew his contract, since he is blocking the progression of Jordi Codina from the youth team.

Michel Salgado: Almost left the team last season, and no longer has a place in the squad.

Fabio Cannavaro: Is 35 years old and wants to finish his career at Napoli. Will be allowed to leave.

Javier Saviola: Has two years left on his contract, but neither the club nor the player intend to see them out.

Marcelo: Has not impressed, and the club will seek a transfer.

Royston Drenthe: Has great potential, but needs to play more. The club will seek to loan him out.

Javi Garcia: The arrival of Lassana Diarra, along with his own indifferent performances, means that he is surplus to requirements.

Christoph Metzelder: Has played under Juande Ramos, but is yet to convince. His future will depend on who the coach is.

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com

Calderon confirms resignation as Real president

MADRID, Jan 16 (Reuters) - An emotional Ramon Calderon confirmed media reports that he had resigned as president of Spanish champions Real Madrid in a news conference at the Bernabeu on Friday.

Calderon, who was elected to the post in 2006, had been under pressure to go since Marca newspaper published allegations earlier this week of irregularities at the club's general assembly last month.

"Against the recommendations of my board I have decided to step down from the presidency," Calderon said.

"I have committed errors but not irregularities. I go with my head held high."

The 57-year-old lawyer will be replaced by Vicente Boluda, who takes charge until a presidential election can be held in the close season.

With tears in his eyes and struggling to hold his emotions in check, Calderon read from a pre-prepared speech.

"I am not a coward and have nothing to hide," he said. "I hope that by offering up my head my going will help placate the wider Real Madrid public.

"They have been convulsed by daily stories put together and sent out from the media that show absolute contempt for all known moral codes."

He defended his record at the helm which included two consecutive league titles, and two trophies with the basketball section, and reiterated that he knew nothing about the events that had occurred at last month's assembly.

The allegations in Marca said unauthorised persons had gained access to the club's assembly on Dec. 7 and their presence had helped to swing votes on key issues in favour of the management.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Calderon said two Real officials involved in organising the assembly had resigned and he would probably not stand for re-election when his four-year mandate ended in 2010.

Spanish media reported on Friday that three club delegates who attended the general assembly had started legal proceedings to have the agreements passed at the event annulled in the light of recent developments.

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AP Photo/Paul White