Madrid completes signing of Higuaín.

Teenage striker Gonzalo Higuain passed a routine medical exam Wednesday and has completed his move from River Plate to Real Madrid.

"The tests we have employed show he is a player who has no problems and is in perfect condition," the head of Madrid's medical services, Alfonso del Corral, told the club's Web site.

Higuain, regarded as one of South America's most promising players, signed a 6 1/2-year contract and will be presented Thursday.

Madrid will reportedly pay $17 million for the 19-year-old striker, who will be eligible to play for his new team once the transfer window opens the following day.

Last month, he rejected a call up from France.

Higuain was born in France of Argentine parents -- his father played for French club Brest -- but moved to Argentina when he was a baby and does not speak French.

Madrid is also negotiating to sign 20-year-old Boca Juniors midfielder Fernando Gago as part of its attempt to inject some fresh blood into an aging team, which last won a major trophy in 2003.

Last month, Madrid signed 18-year-old Brazil left back Marcelo from Fluminense for a reported fee of $7.9 million.

Higuain celebrates £8M Real Madrid deal.

Real Madrid have completed the signing of River Plate striker Gonzalo Higuain for £8 million.

The 18 year-old will officially join Real next month after River were talked down from their original £9 million asking price, which they demanded in negotiations on Wednesday.

"It was the most difficult negotiations in our lives," said River finance chief Hector Grinberg, who had warned Real chiefs Franco Baldini and Pedja Mijatovic of a late bid from Bayern Munich yesterday.

For his part, Higuain has signed a contract through to 2013 and declared: "I am immensely happy because everything has been closed, because my dream has been fulfilled. Real Madrid was my dream and now it has been fulfilled. I am hoping to be a success in Madrid."

Higuain nearing move to Madrid.

River Plate's teenage striker Gonzalo Higuain could soon be joining Real Madrid.

"I'm going to Madrid to continue talks on Higuain's move to (Real) Madrid," River's treasurer Hector Grinberg told Radio Marca. River is reportedly demanding 12 million euros (C$18.3 million) for Higuain, who scored his final goal of the Argentine league season in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Velez Sarsfield.

The striker, who turned 19 the same day, was presented with a shirt signed by his River teammates, an apparent indication that he will soon be leaving the club, sports daily Marca said Tuesday.

"It's great to have the chance of playing for such an important club as Real Madrid. I am feel proud that Madrid has noticed me," Higuain told the newspaper.

Higuain, who reportedly has attracted interest from other top European clubs, last month rejected a call-up from France. The striker was born in France of Argentine parents and moved to Argentina when he was a baby.

Higuain is one of two young Argentine league players which have been targeted by Madrid. Both would be eligible to play for the Spanish club once the transfer window opens on Jan. 2.

The other is Boca Juniors' 20-year-old midfielder Fernando Gago, although negotiations have been delayed due to Boca's involvement in the Argentine title playoff against Estudiantes on Thursday.

River reject Real's offer for Higuain.

River Plate have turned down a 10-million euro offer from Real Madrid for 18-year-old striker Gonzalo Higuain.

"We're not satisfied with the price nor the idea of handing over the player at the end of the year," River Plate secretary Mario Israel told Reuters on Sunday.

Higuain, who this month turned down a call-up from France where he was born, made his debut for River last year.

He shot to prominence by scoring twice as River Plate beat Brazilian champions Corinthians 3-1 to knock them out of the Libertadores Cup in May and twice more in the 3-1 win over arch-rivals Boca Juniors last month.

"Higuain is only just 18 and still has to grow up," said Israel. "Real Madrid understood that. We've got a lot of games to play and we want him to stay at River at least until June 2007."

Higuain was born in France of Argentine parents and moved to Argentina when he was less than one year old.

Calderon: Higuain, Gago have agreed Real Madrid deals.

A buoyant Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has declared Marcelo's signing this week will soon be followed by Argentine pair Gonzalo Higuain and Fernando Gago.

River Plate striker Higuain has already declared he wants to join Real in January, while Boca Juniors are believed to have slapped a media ban on Gago as his agent pushes club president Mauricio Macri to accept Real's offer.

Calderon said: "The one of Marcelo is a very opportune incorporation. We initiated a great signing. Today it was Marcelo and tomorrow there will be Gago and Higuain. Both have reached an agreement with us."

The Real president also admitted "it will be logical" that Marcelo plays the second-half of the season with Real Madrid B due to his lack of a European passport.

Milan Concedes Real Double Defeat.

AC Milan executive Ariedo Braida has revealed that he was given the cold shoulder by Real Madrid transfer targets Fernando Gago and Gonzalo Higuain.

The former is a midfielder at Boca Juniors, while the latter plays up front for rivals River Plate.

Gago’s agent has already begun talks with Real general manager Predrag Mijatovic.

"The players only want to go to Madrid," Braida moaned to Spanish daily AS on his way out of Argentina.

Higuain wants Madrid move quick.

River Plate youngster Gonzalo Higuain wants a move to Real Madrid to be completed quick according to his father.

Jorge Higuain said: "Gonzalo is very excited because Madrid are the most important organisation in the world.

"River wants that he leaves in June of next year, but when presented with an offer from Madrid it is very difficult that I say no. Better to close now the transfer than in June."

Real Madrid loan Uruguay international Carlos Diogo to Zaragoza.

Real Madrid have loaned out Uruguay defender Carlos Diogo to Real Zaragoza until the end of the season, the two Primera Liga sides said on Wednesday. Diogo, who can play on the right side of midfield and at full back, joined Real from River Plate of Argentina in July 2005.