19-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain has passed a routine medical exam on Wednesday and has completed his move from River Plate to Real Madrid. He has signed a contract which will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu for six and a half years.

"The tests we have employed show he is a player who has no problems and is in perfect condition," the head of Madrid's medical services, Alfonso del Corral, told the club's website.

Higuain, regarded as one of South America's most promising players, signed a 6 1/2-year contract and will be presented Thursday.

Madrid will reportedly pay $17 million for the teenager, who will be eligible to play for his new team once the transfer window opens the following day.

Last month, he rejected a call up from France.

Higuain was born in France of Argentine parents -- his father played for French club Brest -- but moved to Argentina when he was a baby and does not speak French.

Madrid is also negotiating to sign 20-year-old Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago as part of its attempt to inject some fresh blood into an aging team, which last won a major trophy in 2003.

Last month, Madrid signed 18-year-old Brazil left back Marcelo from Fluminense for a reported fee of $7.9 million.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati