Madrid unveil Heinze and Robben

Arjen Robben and Gabriel Heinze have been presented as Real Madrid players after completing their moves from Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

The pair flew into Madrid this morning to put the finishing touches to their switches, after it was confirmed Real had struck deals for the left-sided duo.

Argentina defender Heinze, 29, who arrived in Madrid two hours before Robben, has signed a four-year deal with Real, while 23-year-old Holland winger Robben will be tied to the Spanish giants for the next five seasons.

"For me it was really a big relief when yesterday the final word came that I could join Madrid," said Robben at the Bernabeu today. "I think its a great honour if you're one of the promises of a president. Now I am here I think everybody is happy - the club is happy, I'm very happy."

"It has been difficult and it took a very long time. There were many moments when I thought I was going to Madrid the next day, and then it didn't happen.

"But in the end I got here, and although it took very long, I wanted to be here so I'm very happy."

No fee has been confirmed for Robben and Heinze, but reports in the Spanish media suggest the double swoop could cost Real almost £34 million in total.

The majority of that outlay is believed to have been on Robben, for whom Chelsea paid £12m when they signed him from PSV Eindhoven in 2004.

Heinze was still considering whether to launch an appeal against the Premier League decision to block his preferred switch to Liverpool when Real made their move.

At the Bernabeu, the 29-year-old could well take up the left-back position vacated by Roberto Carlos's departure to Turkey this summer.

Carlos was a virtual fixture in the Real team for over a decade, and Heinze admits the attack-minded Brazilian will be a tough act to follow.

"I think that it is impossible to forget Roberto Carlos. I have come here to give everything. What Roberto Carlos has done is impressive," said Heinze, who does not know if he will be utilised at left-back or in the centre of defence by Real coach Bernd Schuster.

"He (Schuster) will know where I can be most useful," said Heinze. "At Manchester United I always played at left-back and for Argentina in the middle, apart from the Copa America."

Lyon were also interested in signing Heinze, who played for Paris St Germain in France before joining United, but the South American insists Real were the club for him.

"It is true that Lyon liked me and I am grateful for that, they are a great club," he said. "Nevertheless, I preferred Madrid because I think that any player would want to come to this team and for me I could not let this opportunity escape.

"Now at last I am here and I am happy, I could not be more content."

Not so content is Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who missed out on signing Heinze after the Premier League blocked the move.

"I am really disappointed with the situation because we had 100 per cent confidence he would be arriving at Liverpool," said the Spaniard. "But after the hearing it was impossible for him to remain here. He was so disappointed he knew he would have to go to another country."

Benitez maintains that his club got a raw deal from the panel that adjudicated on the matter.

"It was a special situation - because we are Liverpool," he said. "The verdict was a surprise for everyone, our lawyers, the player and his agent. I could not believe it."