Argentine defender Samuel passes medical at Real Madrid

Argentine international defender Walter Samuel, who agreed to join Real Madrid from AS Roma in May, passed a lengthy medical test at his new club on Thursday.

"Everything was satisfactory and there are no reasons why the signing should not go through," club doctor Juan Carlos Hernandez told reporters outside the Ruber International Clinic.

"He has had surgery on his left knee in the past, but has recovered completely and is in very strong shape."

The 26-year-old, who was signed for a fee of 25 million euros from the Serie A club, was scheduled to finalise the details of a five-year contract with Real before being presented to the media later in the day.

Real said the highly-rated centre-back would wear the number 19 shirt left vacant by fellow Argentine Esteban Cambiasso, who completed his contract with the club at the end of last season and is expected to join Inter Milan.

Samuel is the only signing Real have announced since they completed a disappointing trophyless campaign in which their defence came in for particular criticism.

The club has said they are interested in signing Portugal centre-back Ricardo Carvalho, who has had a brilliant season with European champions Porto and his national side at Euro 2004.

Real said that Samuel, who has been released from international duty for Argentina at the Copa de America, will begin training with Real on July 12.