Coleman hails Bale return for Wales after Real drama

Chris Coleman hailed Gareth Bale’s commitment to Wales after the world’s most expensive player raced back from his unveiling at Real Madrid to join up with the national squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Serbia.

The 24-year-old’s protracted record-breaking €100m move from Tottenham to the Spanish giants was finally confirmed on Sunday, and the following day saw him presented to more than 20,000 Real fans at the Bernabeu.

The winger could have been forgiven for wanting to stay in the Spanish capital to soak up the experience of becoming one of the club’s ‘Galacticos’, but instead he had already informed Wales boss Coleman he would be catching a flight back to Britain and linking up with the national squad that night.