Xabi Alonso

ALVARO ARBELOA yesterday completed his transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid – with Bernabeu president Florentino Perez under increasing pressure to ensure Xabi Alonso follows suit.

Arbeloa was last night due to sign a five-year deal at the Spanish giants after the two clubs reached agreement on a fee of around £4million for the right-back, who was in the final year of his Anfield contract.

The 26-year-old underwent a medical in Madrid yesterday, after which Real’s medical chief Carlos Diez said: “Arbeloa has undergone a standard examination and the results of all the tests are very satisfactory.

“He is delighted to be able to play for Real Madrid, which has been his lifelong dream. He’s looking forward to joining his team-mates.”

Liverpool have made a profit on a player who cost £2.6million when he was signed from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007 after having made just two appearances during his first spell at the Bernabeu.

Spain international Arbeloa, who scored twice in 96 appearances for Liverpool, was a first-team regular last season but his position had come under serious threat when Rafael Benitez spent £16million on Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson earlier this summer.