The German World Cup star completed his move from Werder Bremen to Madrid on Wednesday after putting pen to paper to a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.

And after months of deliberation, the 21-year-old is delighted to have sealed his move to the Bernabeu.

He said during his official unveiling: "Nothing had been decided before yesterday and I can honestly say I am glad this has had a happy ending.

"I only aspire to make progress at Real Madrid. This is a great challenge for me. I've always concentrated hard and I like to work hard. I stepped on fifth gear and reached the club for which I wanted to play.

"Real Madrid is the best club in the world. I discussed several options with my advisors, but I wanted to come here because I wanted to work with [Jose] Mourinho, the best coach in the world. I spoke with him and he convinced me to come. What we said will remain between us, but he is the greatest reason for which I'm here today."

The midfielder is also adamant he will blossom as a player under the guidance of coach Jose Mourinho and the company of some world class players.

The Australia international is now awaiting completion of his £2.3million move to the Anfield club from Middlesbrough after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Jones is being brought in as back-up for Reina, a member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, by manager Roy Hodgson and the player is well aware there are no first-team guarantees.

The 28-year-old told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "They've told me they want me to do what I do and put pressure on Pepe Reina and Diego Cavalieri.

"That's fine, I'm happy to do that, I've got to give it a go.

"Roy Hodgson hasn't promised anything and I would never expect that from a manager. It's up to me to work hard and make his decisions for him.

"It's not going to be easy to get past Pepe. He's shown over the last couple of years how good he is.

"You don't play for the clubs he's played for and the tournaments he's played in and not be world class.

The Spanish World Cup winner spilled the ball into his own net to hand Arsenal a draw in the final minute of the Reds' Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday.

It was a rare error from the 27-year-old, who was the club's player of the year last season.

"If you are a goalkeeper and you can't live with a mistake you make then you'll never have a career at any level," said Hodgson.

"There is only one certainty in football if you are a goalkeeper, and that is one day you are going to make a mistake which is going to let in a goal. It may cost your team some points.

"When you put your gloves on you know that.

"If you are a good goalkeeper it doesn't happen very often and more often than not you come off the field with people congratulating you on winning points for the team.

"It was a mistake, he understands that. We feel sorry for him because he took it hard but he is a strong character.

"Let's hope he's forgotten it as quickly as I have forgotten it."

After a dramatic Tuesday in Europe's top club competition, we take a look at the five play-off matches being played on Wednesday.

A night after Young Boys of Berne and Tottenham Hotspur served up a Champions League delight, attention turns to Wednesday and another batch of key games where an Iberian derby and Werder Bremen's clash with Sampdoria feature heavily.

MATCH PREVIEWS

S.C Braga vs Sevilla FC

Iberian tears will be shed either way with both sides playing for glory and regional pride.

Braga are riding high after their crushing of a decidedly off-colour Celtic in the last round with a 4-2 aggregate over two legs, but Sevilla could very well be too good for the Portuguese side.

Each player has been shortlisted both for the positional awards (such as best attacker) and for the overall UEFA Club Footballer of the Year gong.

Messi must be the favourite to add to his FIFA World Player of the Year accolade despite Barcelona's failure to even make Champions League Final last season.

The Catalans fell to eventual winners Inter Milan at the semi-final stage, but Messi still finished the competition as top goalscorer with eight goals. Inter striker Diego Milito, who scored twice in the final to break Bayern Munich hearts, finished the competition with six goals and should not be understimated for the UEFA Club Attacker of the Year trophy ahead of Messi.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, who was one behind Milito in the competition's final goalscoring tally, is also nominated in UEFA Club Attacker of the Year category alongside Messi and Milito.

The UEFA Club Football Awards will be presented during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw in Monaco on Thursday 26 August, with three players a piece in contention for the best goalkeeper, best defender, best midfielder and best attacker awards.