Premiership Top Scorer: Drogba 7/1, Torres 10/1, Owen 33/1, Bianchi 66/1 click here to view all others players.

Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze has agreed to join Real Madrid.

A statement on the Real Madrid website, confirmed by Man Utd, said the clubs had agreed a fee and Heinze will sign a four-year contract.

“After playing for a number of clubs all over the world, Heinze arrives at Real Madrid,” Real’s website announced last night. “He adds commitment and intensity to the defence, bringing versatility and talent to the club.”

The Argentine had his heart set on a move to Liverpool and took his case to a Premier League tribunal after United refused to sell him to their rivals. But after an arbitration panel ruled against Heinze, the defender agreed to join Real for an undisclosed fee.

Heinze thanked Benitez for pursuing his signature.

“It has been complicated. I am convinced my move to Liverpool would have worked out and I believe I had a case and needed to defend my rights,” Heinze told the Daily Mail.

“I am grateful for what Rafa Benitez said and tried to do.

“I didn’t want more controversy with Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It is logical now for me to make this jump.

“I always said I wanted to leave for one of the big clubs in Europe and Real are one of those.”

The move brings to an end Heinze’s three-season stay at Old Trafford.

Premiership Top Scorer: Drogba 7/1, Torres 10/1, Owen 33/1, Bianchi 66/1 click here to view all others players.