Raul Albiol is sad to leave Valencia but he has admitted he only moved to Real Madrid because they are "a big club".

Real will present the defender on Thursday and will cost the club €15 million.

Speaking to Cadena SER, Albiol explained that if he was going to leave, it would only be to a big club like Madrid.

"It is not easy for me to have to go. It was the best offer for me and I want to say thank you for the offer because the amount paid is high for a defender," he said.

"If I was going to leave, I was clear that I only wanted to go to a big club like Real Madrid."

Albiol will be the second signing of the summer to be presented by Madrid but is set to be followed by plenty of others.

Cristiano Ronaldo will have his presentation within the next week it is believed and Karim Benzema, who has agreed a deal with Madrid, should arrive shortly.

At the moment, Albiol is the only defender signed by the capital side though, with Liverpool fullback Alvaro Arbeloa rumoured to be on the way.