New Real Madrid star Gareth Bale could receive constant wake-up calls from his mother while in the Spanish capital, according to footballer friend Jake Thomson.

The Wales international will embark on a career at the Santiago Bernabeu after signing a six-year deal yesterday following an agreement of a reported £86m fee between Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.

Thomson, who played alongside Bale at youth level at Southampton, has revealed that the Welshman's mother Debbie would call him every morning to wake him up.

"I would be amazed if that did not continue when he moves to Spain," the Daily Star quotes Thomson as saying. "Maybe she will have to reverse the charges.

"I think it is his way of making sure he speaks to his mum every day. He took a lot of stick from us lads."

Bale passed his medical this morning and has been officially unveiled at the Bernabeu.