Dudek delighted at Madrid move

Istanbul hero
Dudek, who was an integral member of the Liverpool side that won the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan on penalties, had been a peripheral figure at Anfield since the arrival of Pepe Reina from Villarreal CF two years ago and was released at the end of season 2006/07. The 34-year-old was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabéu this afternoon after successfully passing a medical and agreeing terms on a two-year contract.

'Very proud'
Dudek, who joined Liverpool from Feyenoord for €8m in August 2001 and made 127 league appearances for the English Premier League club, will be understudy to Iker Casillas at the Bernabéu. "I was considering a return to Feyenoord, and Jacek Krzynówek was encouraging me to join him at [VfB] Wolfsburg," added Dudek, who has won 58 caps for Poland. "However, when Real showed interest I was very proud and did not think long." Madrid, who have won a record nine European Champion Clubs' Cups, will enter the 2007/08 edition in the group stage after winning the Spanish title.