Speaking at the Hungarian Grand Prix where he watched Ferrari's Michael Schumacher claim victory ahead of Brazilian compatriot Rubens Barrichello, Carlos welcomed the 12 million euro signing of Owen from Liverpool.

"He is a very important player and he will be very important for Real Madrid this season," Carlos said. "He is a world class player who I think will be a very big player for us.

"He will score a lot of goals for Real Madrid this season," Carlos added.

England striker Owen was unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Saturday after putting pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Spanish club.

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Carlos said he expects Jose Antonio Camacho's team to be front-runners in La Liga as well as the Champions League after ending the last campaign without a trophy.

"We will make a good start to the season," he said. "We need to because we are trying to win the Spanish League and the Champions League."

Real Madrid finished fourth in the Spanish league last season, a position that cost coach Carlos Queiroz his job.