Real Madrid have confirmed they have signed Dutch international midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg.
The Spanish champions did not reveal the amount they paid for the player, but local media put the figure at €13million.
“Real Madrid and Hamburg have reached an agreement for the transfer for five seasons of Dutch player Rafael Ferdinand van der Vaart,” Real announced on their website.
“The agreement is subject to the player’s medical examination and his signing of a contract.”
Van der Vaart, whose mother is Spanish, arrives as Real Madrid announced that another Dutch international midfielder, Wesley Sneijder, would be out of action for three months after injuring his knee during a weekend match in London.
“Last night everything came together, and I am now moving to Real Madrid,” the 25-year-old van der Vaart said on his website.
“As everybody might know I have always wanted to move to Spain, because I have a strong bond with that country. Now I’m going to play for Real Madrid – it’s a dream comes true!
“This will be the start of a new chapter in my life. I will do everything to help the team and the club to win trophies.”
Van der Vaart joined Hamburg in 2005, scoring 29 goals in 74 Bundesliga matches.
