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Real Madrid Signs Argentine Ace, 7

Spanish club beats rivals to prodigy

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 9, 2011 4:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – Seven-year-old Argentinean soccer ace Leonel Coira has been snapped up by one of the sport's biggest clubs. The prodigy has been signed by Real Madrid and will start training with its youth team next month, AP reports. Team officials say they they made their move for the boy, whose father moved to Madrid a few years ago, to ward off attempts from rivals.

A team spokesman said players of any age could sign up with Real Madrid. "They only have to be a standout," he said. "We look for something different, that quality or talent that makes them stand out from the rest." The boy's signing isn't a record-breaker: Dutch team Venlose Voetbal Vereniging signed a largely symbolic contract with a talented 18-month-old earlier this year. Click here for that story.

Seven -year-old Leonel Angel Coira shows the contract he signed with Real Madrid at the club's headquarters in Madrid, Spain. (AP Photo/Coira Family)

Real Madrid's newest signing poses for a photo. (AP Photo/Coira Family)

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Real Madrid Signs Argentine Ace, 7

Spanish club beats rivals to prodigy

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