Van der Vaart: Granddad, I've signed for Real Madrid!

Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will set foot on the Santiago Bernabeu's pitch as a new Real Madrid player this afternoon.

At 1am this morning, Real struck terms with Hamburg over a £9 million fee for the midfielder, who immediately jetted to Madrid to prepare for today's medical and presentation ceremony.

"Last night there was an agreement and I am going to Madrid. I've always wanted to play in Spain because I have strong ties with that country," said Van der Vaart. "Playing in Madrid was my dream as a child."

"It will be a new chapter in my life and I hope to help my new team to win many titles."

Rafael Garcia, Van der Vaart's Grandfather, who lives in Cadiz, revealed to AS: "My grandson is the happiest footballer in the world."

"He called me at 3am and told me 'Grandfather, I have signed for Madrid'."