"Real Madrid and Samuel have reached an agreement in relation to the player's tranfer that will come into effect as of 1 July," said Real's website.
"The player has agreed to sign a contract with Real for five seasons."
"He brings quality and maturity which will help our young players feel more comfortable and play better," Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano told the club's website.
"He fills an important need the team had and does so in style because he is one of the best defenders in the world."
He would've been a great signing, but with Robert Huth, JT, William Gallas and Marcel Desailly, something or someone would have to have given.