Two Uruguayans sign for Real Madrid

REAL MADRID have signed Uruguayan internationals Pablo Garcia and Carlos Diogo (pictures above), the Spanish club said. Midfielder Garcia has signed a four-year contract and defender Diogo a five-year deal. Garcia, 28, has a reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder, though he was also the main playmaker for Primera Liga side Osasuna. He will compete for the midfield holding role at Real with Denmark's Thomas Gravesen.

Diogo, 21, signed from Argentine side River Plate, is a versatile player. He is comfortable in defence or midfield. Garcia and Diogo will be officially joining the squad for the tour of the United States, China, Japan and Thailand. The signing of these two players is another evidence that Real Madrid is moving away from its policy of only recruiting big-name players. Speculation is intense in the Spanish media that Real will soon sign Brazilian striker Robinho, although the chairman of his club Santos has said that any team that wants him before the end of his contract in 2008 would have to pay 50 million euros.