Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has finally had his move to Real Madrid from Manchester United sealed, with the Oranje star joining the Bernabeu on a three-year contract, the Spanish Primera Liga club confirmed on Thursday.

Van Nistelrooy put in a transfer request two weeks ago with Manchester United knowing that they were resigned to selling the 30-year-old forward, with reports suggesting that the club were holding out for a fee in the region of £15 million (€21 million) for his signature with both Bayern Munich and Real competing to secure his services for next season.

But now Real Madrid’s new manager, Fabio Capello has managed to sign the former PSV Eindhoven striker on a three-year deal, reported by Spanish media to be worth around £10.2 million (€15 million).

“Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Manchester United for the signing of Ruud van Nistelrooy,” Real Madrid said in a statement on Thursday.

“The player will take a medical on Friday morning and will be presented in the afternoon at 1700 GMT in the Bernabeu.”

Van Nistelrooy's move to Spain follows a turbulent end to the 2005/06 season, with the Holland international being left on the bench by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for six consecutive matches, which concluded with his walking out of the ground before the final match of the season against Charlton Athletic after having incurred the wrath of Ferguson, with Ferguson saying he omitted him for a “number of issues”.

The 30-year-old Oranje striker scored a total of 150 goals for Manchester United since joining the club in 2001 for a then British record fee of £19 million (€27 million) and is United's all-time top scorer in Europe, having surpassed Denis Law's long-standing record in September 2004, and is currently the fourth highest scorer in the European Cup, level on 47 goals with Portuguese legend Eusebio..

Van Nistelrooy is the Spanish club's third signing since Real’s new president Ramon Calderon brought in new manager Fabio Capello from Juventus, with Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Brazil midfielder Emerson both having joined in the close-season, and now van Nistelrooy will be also linking up with former Manchester United team mate David Beckham.

Van Nistelrooy will, in no way, have a place in the Real Madrid first-team assured, with the Dutchman having to face stiff competition from such players as Raul, Robinho, Julio Baptista, Antonio Cassano and Ronaldo for a place in the Real attack, although it is thought that van Nistelrooy’s move will mean the departure of at least one of the old-guard.

Real are in the process of trying to put together a star-studded team under new coach Capello, in the aim of winning their first trophy for four seasons.

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