Gareth Bale signs for Real Madrid in record £85m deal

Gareth Bale has signed for Real Madrid for £85million, making him the most expensive footballer in history.

The Welshman was unveiled today at Real's Bernabeu stadium, in front of more than 20,000 fans who'd bought tickets just to see him.

He played for Tottenham Hotspur for six years, after joining them for £10m as a left-back from Southampton in 2007.

"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye," said the Wales star.

"We've had some special times together and I've loved every minute of it."

He added: "I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.

Player of the Year

The 24-year-old scored 26 goals last season and was named player of the year by both the Professional Footballers' Association and the Football Writers.

He's agreed to a pay deal of £300,000 per week on a six-year contract.

The £85.3m (100m euros) move tops the the former record transfer deal which was when Real paid Manchester United £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

With £85.3m you could get a lot of things: you could buy 1.7 million tickets to see One Direction, or 244,000 PS4s or even 170 million bars of chocolate!

We asked you whether you thought he was worth the money...

Is Bale worth it? Your comments

Gareth Bale is worth more, 93 million is enough because he is an excellent player and is exceptional. Well done Bale! Hello Madrid!

Chris, Little Paxton, England

I don't think Gareth Bale is worth that much. He can score 26 goals, which is amazing for the team and good for him, but it is quite a lot of money for a football player.

Amirah, Birmingham, England

I don't like the fact that footballers get paid so much. It's just so not fair! Doctors save people's lives, football is just a game.

Zakia, Boston, England

No, I don't think he is worth that much money, maybe a bit less, but I would much rather have 1.7 million One Direction tickets!

Megan, Bridgend, Wales

No, I don't think he is worth it; it's not that he costs more than Ronaldo but the fact that if he doesn't fit in and quickly leaves than it's a huge amount of money gone. However - if he succeeds - money well spent.

Rashad, London, England

There are better footballing stars out there... I think Gareth Bale is only worth £12million or maybe even less. Real Madrid are silly to pay so much.

Simran, Essex, England

I don't think he is worth that much money; in my opinion Cristiano Ronaldo is much better. Bale should have cost a lot less than Ronaldo did when he transferred from Manchester United.

Annabel, Berkhamsted, England

Gareth Bale is certainly not worth £85.3m. Wayne Rooney is better than Bale so why didn't Madrid buy Rooney instead?

Hafizur, Manchester, England

Gareth Bale was a truly inspirational player and I am sad to see him go. However, he is definitely worth that much and I know he will be brilliant wherever he goes.

Adil, London, England

I think that he is worth it, he was Tottenham's best player. My family and I support Tottenham and we are all sad to see him leave.

Alexandra, Cumbria, Wales

I think Real Madrid went a bit over the top so they really wanted Bale. I think he is worth a lot, but not that much. I'd much rather have 244,000 PS4s.

Sophie, Tring, Hertfordshire

I don't think that Bale is worth more than Ronaldo as Ronaldo has sooooooo much more talent. I don't understand why Madrid want him so badly!

Emma, London

I don't follow football that much but I don't think that anyone is worth that much money! Footballers are paid too much money to try and score a goal when there are people out there that can't even pay for food!

Zara, Northwich, England

Yes I do. He has been brilliant and needs to move to a more recognisable squad, definitely worth the money.

Matthew, Northampton

Nope he is not worth more than Cristiano Ronaldo he had a fantastic season but not more than CR7.

Artison, London

I don't think Bale was worth that much because in my opinion he isn't that much of a good player, whereas good players have only been bought for half the money that Bale was bought for.

Thanisha, London

No I don't think he's worth it, 26 goals - I can do better.

Iman, Milton Keynes