MADRID - Accustomed to seeing some of the worlds top players join their ranks, tens of thousands of Real Madrid fans turned out

MADRID - Accustomed to seeing some of the worlds top players join their ranks, tens of thousands of Real Madrid fans turned out at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Monday to catch the first glimpse of Gareth Bale, the latest "galactico" to join the Spanish giants. Reto Berra Jersey . The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was introduced by president Florentino Perez amid enthusiastic chants from the supporters after earlier passing a medical test. "It is a great dream for me to play for Real Madrid," Bale said in Spanish before thanking the fans for a "great welcome." "I want to help to bring the team success," Bale said before ending his speech with "Hala Madrid," the same club chant that David Beckham used at his presentation 10 years ago. A person familiar with the deal said on Sunday that the fee for the Wales international was a world-record $132 million, making the midfielder the worlds most expensive transfer. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details are not being disclosed. By pairing Bale alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, new Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will have one of the most formidable attacking combinations in football and one intended to compete with that of Spanish champion Barcelona, which features Lionel Messi and new signing Neymar. Bale, whose move was the culmination of negotiations that spanned much of the summer, acknowledged his signing had involved a complex process that had made him feel uneasy at times. "Its been difficult, but Im here now," he said. "Its been a very nervous situation, but its a dream come true." Bale said that the deal had been done correctly, with Real Madrid approaching Tottenham first, before talking to him. He said he wasnt told until late Sunday that an agreement had finally been reached — shortly before it was announced to the rest of the world. Standing in front of a large photograph of Bale when he was a little boy, wearing a Madrid shirt, Perez praised the Welsh players skill. "We are before an exceptional footballer," said Perez, pointing out that Bale had been chosen as the best player in the Premier League last season. "He is a young player with very great qualities." Perez said the player had shown "determination and solidity" throughout the negotiations, something he said had helped in completing the transfer process successfully. "I thank Tottenham for giving us the opportunity to count on this player," Perez said. Bale acknowledged the transfer fee had been surprisingly large, but said that aspect of the deal was strictly between Tottenham and Madrid and had not included him at any stage. "I would have come here for a penny," he said. "I just wanted to be here and in a white shirt." Despite staying away from Tottenham during the final days of negotiations, the player said he had been working on his fitness and was hoping to play for Wales in its two upcoming World Cup qualifiers. He will travel to Skopje to play Macedonia on Friday, followed by a match in Cardiff against Serbia four days later. Bale insisted that the hefty price tag didnt put any added pressure on him, but added that he already expects a lot from himself and looks forward to pitting his skills against the competition in the league. "Ive always followed Spanish football, its an amazing league. I had the (Madrid) shirt when I was nine years old," he said. He said he had already spoken briefly with Ancelotti and was not concerned about where the coach chooses to play him. "I enjoy being in all the positions Ive played in so far, and I dont know if Ive got a favourite position anymore," he said. "Ill be happy to play wherever he places me." Bale, perhaps mindful that his arrival has the potential to unsettle Reals established superstar, said Ronaldo was the best player in the world and that his desire to play alongside the Portuguese international had been "a massive factor" in wanting to join Madrid. "I want to learn off him," Bale said. With Madrid, Bale will also be playing in the Champions League again — a competition that Tottenham only reached once during his stint there. He will be wearing the same No. 11 shirt that was worn by Francisco "Paco" Gento, who helped Madrid win six European Cups in the 1950s and 60s. Bale said one of his favourite memories of Madrid was Zinedine Zidane scoring the winning goal in its 2-1 Champions League final win against Bayern Leverkusen in 2002. "Tottenham wasnt easy to leave," he said, but "my heart was always set on Real Madrid." Kevin Bieksa Jersey .com) - The Los Angeles Kings peppered Ryan Miller with shot after shot. Nick Ritchie Jersey . -- Get a flow chart ready to follow the Packers quarterback situation. http://www.officialduckshockeyauthentic.com/brandon-montour-jersey/ . Better still, its in the same team and there are 13 races left for it to develop.PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins spot in the post-season is assured. The Phoenix Coyotes are living much more dangerously. For long stretches during Phoenixs 3-2 win on Tuesday night, it certainly looked like the other way around. Pouncing on a series of sloppy mistakes by the suddenly erratic Penguins, the Coyotes picked up two vital points in the chase for the eighth-seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Thomas Greiss stopped 23 shots -- including all 15 he faced over the final two periods -- and received plenty of help as Phoenix rebounded a night after losing starting goaltender Mike Smith indefinitely with a right leg injury in a loss to the New York Rangers on Monday. David Moss, Antoine Vermette and Mikkel Boedker scored for the Coyotes, who never trailed while dropping the Metropolitan Division-leading Penguins to just 6-6-2 since the Olympic break. "It gives confidence that if you can win in Pittsburgh you can win anywhere," Phoenix forward Shane Doan said. Jussi Jokinen and Taylor Pyatt scored for the Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury made 26 saves, but the Penguins failed to clinch a playoff berth and looked lifeless at times without centre Evgeni Malkin, who is out 2-3 weeks after hurting his foot in a loss to St. Louis on Sunday. While hes expected by the end of the regular season, his absence is just the latest setback in a season in which Pittsburgh has lost over 400 man games due to injuries. It didnt seem to bother the Penguins as they built a seemingly insurmountable division lead. Coach Dan Bylsma isnt sure now is the time to start throwing around blame. "I dont think injuries had anything to do with today or what you saw on the ice," he said. More disconcerting for Pittsburgh is its lack of focus. The Penguins held a brief players only meeting after the game and cancelled a scheduled practice on Wednesday. "I dont think theres anyone feeling sorry for us, but that still doesnt allow us not to have the right type of effort and work ethic," centre Sidney Crosby said. Phoenixs play had a little bit to do with it. If the Coyotes were rattled by the loss of their franchise goaltender, it didnt exactly show. Greiss has been effective when sspelling Smith this season, though he wasnt sharp while allowing the Rangers to steal two points Monday by rallying for an overtime victory after he replaced Smith with 7:32 left in regulation and the Coyotes holding a one-goal lead. Sam Steel Jersey. No matter. Despite a short turnaround in the midst of a three-game road trip that could shape the final weeks of the regular season, Greiss kept the Penguins in check. "I thought we did a good job of being close to one another," Moss said. "It seemed like if there was a breakdown, there was support. If they had a chance, (Greiss) made a huge save." Whenever Pittsburgh made a mistake deep in its own zone, the Coyotes were there to take advantage. Moss picked up his seventh goal of the year when great forechecking by Martin Hanzal and Brandon McMillan produced a turnover that ended with Moss all alone in front of the Penguins net. Jokinens 18th goal of the season tied it 11:51 into the period, kind of. His wrist shot caromed out of the back of the net so quickly the goal light never came on. Play continued for nearly 3 minutes before a stoppage in play provided time for the goal to be awarded on replay. Vermette put Phoenix back in front with a power-play goal, poking a rebound between Fleurys legs. Pyatt knotted it at 2 with just 4 seconds left in the first by deflecting in Rob Scuderis shot from the point. The back-and-forth play, however, stopped over the final 40 minutes as the Coyotes choked off the Penguins while continuing to effectively counterpunch. Boedker put Phoenix in front to stay 13:18 into the second period by grabbing a rebound in front of the Pittsburgh net and roofing it over Fleurys glove as a penalty to Jokinen expired. NOTES: Injured Penguins defenceman Paul Martin did not skate on Tuesday morning due to an illness. Martin, who has not played since injuring his hand while playing for Team USA in the Winter Olympics, will have an X-ray on Sunday to determine his progress. ... The Coyotes recalled G Mark Visentin from the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League to serve as the backup until Smiths status is determined. ... 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