Inter signs Samuel from Real Madrid

Milan:

Inter Milan signed defender Walter Samuel from Real Madrid on a four-year contract on Monday. Inter paid Madrid $19.35 million for Samuel, who will earn $5.2 million per season, news reports said. "I can't wait to join my new teammates,'' Samuel told reporters in Milan. "I feel a bit at home here since Inter has so many Argentines.'' Samuel is the eighth Argentine on Inter's roster. Samuel earned the nickname 'The Wall' when he won the Serie A with AS Roma in 2001. He joined Madrid a year ago for a reported fee of $26.6 million, but his erratic form earned him criticism. Inter is still trying to sign Luis Figo from Madrid. Coach Roberto Mancini would like to complete the deal before Thursday's deadline for submitting rosters for Champions League qualifying. Also, Ajax is interested in signing defender Francesco Coco and midfielder Andy van der Meyde from Inter. Inter is feeling confident after going 4-0 last week in its England tour, which it nearly canceled over security fears. Inter defeated Leicester 2-1, and then beat Crystal Palace, Norwich and Portsmouth, each by 2-0. Inter also beat Bordeaux 2-0 in its only other exhibition match this summer. "The outcome of this tour was certainly positive,'' Mancini said. "We had seven days with four games. Now we'll continue our preparation with Shakhtar in mind.'' Inter faces Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine in Champions League qualifying later this month. (AP)