Real Madrid have signed Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg.
The Spanish giants have also been pursuing Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo this summer but have made 25-year-old Van der Vaart their latest recruit.
The Dutchman is set to be unveiled tomorrow and his arrival will help Madrid to compensate for the loss of compatriot Wesley Sneijder, who faces three months out of action with a knee injury.
Van der Vaart, whose mother is Spanish, told www.vandervaartofficial.com: 'Last night everything came together and I am now moving to Real Madrid.
'As everybody knows 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 come true.'
Van der Vaart scored 29 goals in 74 games for Hamburg and helped them finish fourth in last season's Bundesliga.
Hamburg's director of sport Dietmar Beiersdorfer said: 'We wish him all the best for the future.'
Sneijder's injury is not as bad as was initially feared.
A statement on the Real Madrid websiteconfirmed the nature of the injury.
It read: 'Following the scan carried out today by the Real Madrid medical staff on the player Wesley Sneijder, it can be confirmed said player has suffered an injury of the internal lateral ligaments (knee) and damaged part of the anterior cruciate ligaments.
'With the orthopaedic treatment and rehabilitation work required it is estimated that the player will be out of action for approximately three months.'
Despite the long lay-off, the news will be welcomed by the Madrid coaching staff, whose initial fears were that Sneijder had torn the ligaments, an injury which would have needed around six to eight months of recovery time.
Sneijder made 30 appearances in La Liga for Real last season, scoring nine goals following his €27million move from Ajax.
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