Florentino Perez will officially launch his campaign to bring a new Galactico era to Real Madrid on Thursday when he announces his bid to regain the club's presidency.

Perez's six-year tenure from 2000-2006 veered wildly between fantasy and farce as he initially won trophies and repeatedly pulled off audacious transfer coups while the club's infrastructure gradually rotted from within.

The former politician stood down in 2006 after his reign turned sour but, following Ramon Calderon's resignation earlier this season, he has decided to step in and attempt to return his beloved club to their former glory.

Perez pulled off a remarkable achievement in 2000 by ousting successful incumbent Lorenzo Sanz on the back of a promise to mount a spectacular and controversial swoop for Luis Figo from bitter rivals Barcelona.

He then delivered on his manifesto by bringing Figo to the capital, winning two league titles and the Champions League.

Figo's arrival, meanwhile, was followed by those of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, David Beckham, Michael Owen and Robinho in what became an annual event.

His policy reaped rich rewards at first as the world's most decorated club assembled the most talented team on the planet. But his obsession with signing 'Galacticos' at any cost, while letting the defensive spine of the team wither away, saw things go badly wrong as a rudderless side full of prima donnas and sub-standard youth products ceded their grip on the domestic league to Frank Rijkaard's Barca.

Though Perez will be up against several candidates who have already announced they will run, the glamour boy of La Liga boardrooms looks set to blitz them at the ballot box and take his seat once more as perhaps the most powerful man in club football.

Perez has refused to speak publicly so far - presumably to add weight to the announcement in the Spanish capital - and speculation has been rife about possible signings and appointments. He knows how to curry favour with the public. While nothing short of Lionel Messi's arrival could top that legendary Figo coup, he seems set to stick with the same formula by making a number of marquee signings.

It is thought Perez favours AC Milan's Kaka over Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo but would like to sign both, while Liverpool's Xabi Alonso is a target for around 20million euros.

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