Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will join Real Madrid from Manchester United on a three-year contract, the Primera Liga club said on Thursday.

The deal is reported to be worth around 15 million euros ($19.12 million) for the 30-year-old striker, who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances since joining United for a then British record fee of 19 million pounds ($35.39 million) in 2001.

He is Real's third signing this week following on from Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro and Brazil midfielder Emerson, and will link up with former Manchester United team mate David Beckham at the Bernabeu.

Van Nistelrooy put in a transfer request two weeks ago and both Real and Bayern Munich have been competing to secure his services for next season.