Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon is convinced new signing Pepe is "one of the best central defenders in the world".

Real sports chief Pedja Mijatovic's cloak-and-dagger swoop for Pepe all happened in the early hours of yesterday morning. Mijatovic struck personal terms with Pepe's agent, Jorge Mendes, at virtually dawn after agreeing a £20 million fee with Porto. Pepe will earn £2 million-a-year at Real over the next five years.

"He is one of the best central defenders in the world and will form a great partnership with [Christoph] Metzelder. The season that he has had with Porto was perfect, he's played several years at a great level and is only 24 years old," beamed Calderon last night.