Here we show you how Real Madrid recorded the greatest ever transfer window in 2009
The 2009 transfer window saw Real Madrid make some major changes to their squad.
The Spanish giants had a busy summer, spending over €200 million on new players as they looked to regain their spot atop of La Liga and challenge for European honours.
Real Madrid began the window by signing Brazilian playmaker Kaka from AC Milan for a reported fee of €65 million.
This was followed up with the purchase of Karim Benzema from Lyon for an estimated €35 million and then the acquisition of Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in exchange for a world-record fee of £80 million.
These signings were met with great excitement from fans around the world, who were keen to see how such expensively assembled stars would fare under new manager Manuel Pellegrini at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
In addition to these high profile arrivals, Real also added several other players throughout the window including defenders Raul Albiol (from Valencia), Ezequiel Garay (from Racing Santander) and Alvaro Arbeloa (from Liverpool).
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Midfielders Lassana Diarra (signed from Portsmouth) and Rafael van der Vaart (bought back after being sold to Hamburg) also joined Los Blancos while strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar both arrived at the club in exchange for undisclosed fees.
These moves demonstrated that Real Madrid were serious about competing on all fronts this season as they sought not only domestic success but also Champions League glory.
With such an array of talent now at his disposal, Manager Pellegrini will be hoping that this influx can help bring silverware back to El Madrigal Stadium come May 2010.
As well as buying big names during this transfer period, Real Madrid also offloaded several players in order to balance out their books including:
- Ruud van Nistelrooy who moved back to Holland with FC Twente
- Young striker Javier Saviola who departed for Benfica
- Defender Gabriel Heinze who returned home Argentina following two years in Spain
- Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek whose contract expired before he signed with Ajax Amsterdamplus midfielders Fernando Gago and Royston Drenthe who left on loan deals respectively headlining towards Roma & Hercules CF clubs respectively .
All told it has been quite a busy few months at Santiago Bernabeu stadium but if all goes according plan then these new acquisitions should prove invaluable when it comes time battling Barcelona once again next season.