Karim Benzema passes medical at Real Madrid

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid's latest star signing, has passed all his medical tests and is fit to play for the Spanish powerhouse, the club said Thursday.
Lyon sold the France striker to Madrid last week for euro35 million ($48.96 million). His signing is part of a spending spree that has cost Madrid more than euro200 million ($280 million) and secured the likes of FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil playmaker Kaka this offseason.

"Karim Benzema is fit for action according to Real Madrid's medical services at Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital. Benzema passed all his tests with flying colors and has been cleared to sign his six-year deal with Real Madrid later this afternoon," the club's Web site said.

The player arrived in the morning and was driven from the airport to a Madrid hotel to meet coach Manuel Pellegrini before going to a private clinic in the northwest of the capital normally used by the club for its medical assessments.

Following a thumbs-up from the medical team, Benzema visited the Santiago Bernabeu stadium and met sporting director, Miguel Pardeza, and institutional relations director, Emilio Butragueno, the club said.