Real Madrid confirmed the signing of central defender Raul Albiol from Valencia on Thursday.

The 23-year-old, who is a Spain international, has agreed a five-year contract and he will cost the club 15 million euros (21 million U.S. dollars).

Albiol had a difficult start to his career. In August 2004 he was involved in a car crash while driving to Madrid, where he was to play on loan with Getafe.

He suffered serious injuries, spent several days in a coma and needed his spleen removed as a result of the accident. Fortunately he made a full recovery and made his Primera Liga debut four months later.

That season he scored a goal against Real Madrid in a game that Getafe won 2-1.

Able to play in central defense or at right back, Albiol returned to Valencia for the following season and made steady progress as a footballer.

He made his Spain debut in October 2007 and has now played a total of 15 times for his country.

The defender is Real Madrid's third signing of the close season. His arrival follows those of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United and Kaka from AC Milan as new club president Florentino Perez attempts to buy a team capable of challenging Spanish and European Champions FC Barcelona.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2009)