Huntelaar delighted to join Real Madrid -- china.org.cn

Ajax Amsterdam's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is seen on this Feb. 2, 2008 file picture during a soccer match against Feyenoord in Amsterdam.

Ajax Amsterdam's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is seen on this Feb. 2, 2008 file picture during a soccer match against Feyenoord in Amsterdam.[Xinhua/Reuters Photo]

Klass-Jan Huntelaar spoke on Wednesday about his satisfaction at joining Spanish football giants Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old Dutch international was officially announced as a new Real Madrid player on Tuesday after Real agreed a transfer fee of around 20 million euros with his current club Ajax.

Ajax Amsterdam's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar kicks the ball during a soccer match in Amsterdam in this Jan. 30, 2008 file photo.

Ajax Amsterdam's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar kicks the ball during a soccer match in Amsterdam in this Jan. 30, 2008 file photo.[Xinhua/Reuters File Photo]

Huntelaar has signed a four and a half year contract which will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium until the end of the 2012-13 season.

"I am very happy and I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates," the striker told sports paper Diario AS.

He will become the sixth Dutch player in the Real Madrid squad and has the job of replacing Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who is out until the end of the season with a knee injury.

"Ruud is a great player and I have played in the Dutch national team with him. He was always a reference for me as a young player. I am a different type of player and that is why we can both play in the same team, Real Madrid. I am extraordinarily happy," said Huntelaar.

Huntelaar has signed his contract while carrying an ankle injury, but he is convinced that will not be a problem when he is able to make his first team debut in January.

Netherlands' Klaas Jan Huntelaar (R) scores past Iceland's Hermann Hreidarsson during their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Rotterdam, Oct.11, 2008.

Netherlands' Klaas Jan Huntelaar (R) scores past Iceland's Hermann Hreidarsson during their 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Rotterdam, Oct.11, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters File Photo]

"I am training well, with no problems in running and touching the ball. I can't give an exact date for when I will be totally fit, but I am certain I will be in top shape in January."

"I am joining Real Madrid to grow as a player and to be able to play against the biggest clubs in Europe. Real Madrid is a historic club and now I hope to be able to help make their fans very happy," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2008)