Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has admitted that he would love to finish his career at the club after signing a new deal at Santiago Bernabeu.
The Wales international, who signed from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013 for a then world-record fee of £86 million, has put pen-to-paper on a new five-and-a-half-year contract that is set to keep him at the club until 2022 – reported Freebetsmate.
Bale has already won the UEFA Champions League twice in his three years with Real – playing an important part in both successes – while he scored the winning goal when they captured the Copa del Ray crown in 2014.
And the 27-year-old is hopeful that he will experience plenty more success with Los Blancos in years to come.
“I’m very happy here. When I first came here, I wanted to succeed and win trophies, and renewing my contract is another dream come true. Hopefully there are many more trophies to win here,” he said.
“I’ve signed again because I believe we can keep winning trophies and Champions Leagues. I feel very happy here. I’m improving my Spanish and my family is settled.
“I’d be happy to see out my contract here. In the future, I don’t know when I’m going to retire but I’m not looking past the next few years to be honest. I’ve been fully concentrated on Real since I got here. The main thing is to concentrate on my football and everything else is dealt with by my agents.”
It has not all been plain sailing for Bale, who was the subject of criticism in his second season as the club failed to win a trophy while there were ongoing rumours that he did not get on with fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the resilient Welshman responded by scoring 19 goals in 23 LaLiga appearances the following campaign – his best tally in the Spanish top-flight so far – and is looking forward to a bright future in the Spanish capital.
“I came here to try something different – a new experience. History tells you that when British players play abroad it’s not always successful, but I wanted to improve my game.
“I had one season that wasn’t the best but this last one was my best, I think, and made me grow up as a person. You have bad moments in football wherever you are, but it’s about how you react to them.
“It’s easy to pack up and leave and go elsewhere but it takes more character to stay here and fight. I’ve grown up believing that if things aren’t going right then you work hard to make them work.
“But I’ve enjoyed every moment, good or bad, and it’s been a great three years. Hopefully it will be another great six years. I will always fight for this club.”
