- Title: SOCCER-SPAIN/RAMOS Ramos stays with Real Madrid
- Date: 17th August 2015
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (AUGUST 17, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** REAL MADRID DEFENDER SERGIO RAMOS ARRIVING IN NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM WITH CLUB PRESIDENT FLORENTINO PEREZ AND SITTING DOWN RAMOS STANDING UP RAMOS WALKING TO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REAL MADRID DEFENDER AND NEW CAPTAIN SERGIO RAMOS SAYING OF SIGNING A CONTRACT EXTENSION: "I was never led
- Embargoed: 1st September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVAB8Q6SXSTAW35IVIMOD23VRUNA
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Defender Sergio Ramos said on Monday (August 17) he would like to play until the end of his career at Real Madrid.
Ramos has agreed to extend his contract with the La Liga club until 2020, ending speculation that he could join English Premier League side Manchester United.
"I was never led by money. Happiness and the family was my priority. I never said that I wanted to leave Real Madrid. I always wanted to stay. If the president and the supporters allowsit I would like to retire here," the defender and new captain said.
Ramos, 29, signed his new deal with Real President Florentino Perez at the Bernabeu stadium on Monday.
Local media reported the team captain, a dressing-room heavyweight and a huge fan favourite, would earn 10 million euros ($11.1 million) a season after tax, making him one of the best-paid members of Real's expensively assembled squad.
Ramos had been strongly linked with a move to United, with reports in Spain and England suggesting he might be included in a swap deal for the English side's unsettled Spain goalkeeper, David De Gea.
In a news conference after the signing ceremony in Madrid on Monday, Ramos said he had to resolve some issues with the club, but he never wanted to leave.
"I never said that I wanted to leave Real Madrid, but I spoke with the people that I had to speak with and I said this (situation) could not stay like this. Perhaps there were personal, professional or emotional problems, regardless of the economic," he said.
The full back has been named Real Madrid's new captain after goalkeeper Iker Casillas moved to Porto.
Ramos said the new challenge will fuel his desire to lift more trophies.
"I have a new challenge and that is to be captain of this club and team and I´ll try to do it in the most honest way possible. I´m willing to bring happiness back to the fans by winning titles," he said.
As well as tying Ramos into a new contract, Real are also reportedly poised to sign Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Inter Milan for a fee of around 30 million euros ($33.31 million).
Inter coach Roberto Mancini appeared to confirm Kovacic was leaving after Sunday's 0-0 friendly draw at home to AEK Athens, in which the 21-year-old did not feature.
Kovacic is seen as ideal backup in the centre of Real's midfield for his Croatia team mate Luka Modric and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos and would compete for a place in the side with the likes of Isco, Asier Illarramendi and Casemiro.
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