Inter complete Samuel signing

FC Internazionale Milano have announced the signing of Argentina international centre-back Walter Samuel from Real Madrid CF for a fee reported to be in the region of €16m.

Scudetto winner
The 27-year-old becomes the eighth Argentinian at Inter and is a proven winner in Serie A. Samuel, who counts CA Newell's Old Boys and CA Boca Juniors among his former clubs, played for AS Roma between 2000 and 2004, helping the capital club to the Scudetto in 2001.

'Four-year deal'
Samuel joined Madrid for €25m last summer but his time at the Santiago Bernabéu proved a disappointment. "I went to Madrid because I wanted to win many trophies, but unfortunately we were not able to," Samuel said after signing a four-year deal at the San Siro.

'Strange season'
"It was a strange season for us, as we changed coaches three times. I'm really happy that a great club such as Inter have shown their trust in me after such a difficult season. I'll do anything I can to repay them."

Proven international
A 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship winner, Samuel has played 51 games for the senior national team, including three at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and two in the recent FIFA Confederations Cup.

Champions League chance
Inter, who have also signed Santiago Solari from Madrid this summer, start their UEFA Champions League campaign against FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the third qualifying round after finishing third in Serie A last season.