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PICTURES: Gareth Bale on show at the Bernabeu after world-record move
GARETH BALE showed off his Spanish today as he was unveiled as the world's most expensive player in front of more than 30,000 screaming fans.
Supporters of all ages packed into the Santiago Bernabeu stadium for the midday presentation and did Mexican waves carrying 'I Love Bale' banners as they waited for their first glimpse of the Welshman in a Real Madrid shirt.
Millions more around the world followed Bale's official presentation as the Spanish giant's record new signing on live TV feeds.
Bale pronounced his first words as a Real Madrid player in a black suit and tie over a white shirt before putting on his new kit and enjoying his first kick around in front of the fans.
Watched by his proud family including his girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones and their baby daughter Alba, the 24-year-old said: "I just want to say it's absolutely amazing to be here. It's a dream come true."
After promising to try to help his new club secure more titles in Spain and in Europe, he added: "I just want to say a few words in Spanish" and continued: "Es un sueño para mi jugar para Real Madrid.
"Gracias. Gracias por esta gran acogida. Hala Madrid." (English for 'It's a dream for me to play for Real Madrid. Thankyou. Thankyou for this great welcome. Come on Madrid.")
His passable pronunciation delighted supporters watching him from a giant screen.
They reserved their biggest cheer of the day when he ran onto the pitch moments later dressed in his Real Madrid number 11 shirt and kissed his new club badge before kicking footballs into one of the goals and towards the crowd.
Club president Florentino Perez, in a personal address to his new player, said: "Bale, as you're known here in Spain, from today just as you dreamed when you were a child, this is your club, this is your shirt, this is your badge and these are your fans.
"From today this is yours and all your family's home. New football emotions began today for everyone.
"Thanks Gareth Bale. Welcome to your team. Welcome to Real Madrid."
The former Tottenham star was mobbed as soon as he touched down in Madrid in the early hours of this morning and checked into his five-star hotel Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra Suites.
Dozens of fans waited outside the hotel until 2am when he arrived in an Audi 4x4 with agent Jonathan Barnett to ask for his autograph.
And he was mobbed again as he left a private hospital after a few hours sleep where he passed a medical.
An estimated 35,000 fans including four generations of entire families dressed in Real Madrid shirts started streaming into the Santiago Bernabeu from late morning.
Many waited an hour and a half in searing heat for their first glimpse of their new idol.