Real win Varane chase

Varane: Arrives at Real on a long-term contract after catching the eye with Lens

Real Madrid have completed the signing of Raphael Varane from Lens after beating off competition from several clubs for the highly-rated teenage defender.

Varane, 18, had been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain after catching the eye in an otherwise disappointing season for relegated Lens.

But it is Real who have won the chase for the centre-back's signature after putting him through a medical in the Spanish capital on Monday.

Varane has signed a long-term deal to keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 2017.

Madrid announced on their official website: "Real Madrid and Lens have reached an agreement for the transfer of the French player Raphael Varane, who will be tied to the club for the next six seasons."

Varane becomes Madrid's fourth new addition this summer following on from Turkey international duo Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop, and Espanyol winger Jose Maria Callejon.

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Sahin, 22, agreed a six-year deal with Madrid while 28-year-old Altintop moves to Madrid on a four-year deal after leaving Bayern Munich.

Callejon rejoined Madrid, where he came up through the youth ranks before moving to Espanyol in 2008, on a five-year contract.

Madrid won the Copa del Rey last season in Jose Mourinho's first campaign in charge while they finished second in the Primera Division and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.