London, Jan. 14 : Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo has registered his initials as a trademark together with the number nine- fuelling fears the Manchester United No7 is off to Real Madrid.

The Sun reveals the digits "CR9" were copyrighted last month in his Portuguese homeland to be used on merchandise or as the name for a restaurant or bar.

Spanish giants Real Madrid - poised to make a world record 70-million pound summer swoop for the winger - were last night said to have promised him their No. 9 shirt.

Ronaldo, 23, revealed he was learning Spanish after he was this week crowned World Player of the Year.

He also has a sponsorship deal with a Portuguese bank giving them exclusive marketing rights if he goes to Spain.

His agent Jorge Mendes registered CR9 at the National Institute of Industrial Property in Lisbon. Ronaldo already has CR7. (ANI)