MADRID — Real Madrid says its world-record signing Gareth Bale has a "small chronic disc bulge" in his back.

Madrid released this information in a statement on its club website on Saturday in response to an article published in Spanish sports daily Marca saying that Bale had a hernia in his back.

Madrid's statement says Bale's problem "is extremely common among football players and by no means prevents him from carrying out his professional activity normally."

The club did not clarify if Bale's back problem is related to his injuries that have plagued him since joining late this summer. Previously, the club said Bale was recovering from a "sore left hamstring."

Madrid paid Tottenham a world record 100 million euros this offseason to acquire the Wales winger.