Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin to join Real Madrid

By foxsports
Published

Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin has signed a six-year contract to join Real Madrid from Bundesliga champion Borussia Dortmund.

The German-born Sahin was one of the key players for Dortmund in the young team's surge to the Bundesliga title this season.

Real Madrid called the 22-year-old Sahin a ''talented, young midfielder'' and ''a master at free kicks'' on Monday.

His move to Madrid follows Germany midfielders Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira, who left the Bundesliga for the Spanish capital last year. He will reinforce a midfield that also includes Spanish international Xabi Alonso.

Madrid needs to beat Getafe on Tuesday to avoid Barcelona sealing its third consecutive league title.

Madrid ended a two-season trophy drought by winning the Copa del Rey in April, but was later ousted by Barcelona from the Champions League semifinals.

''This was a very, very difficult decision for me,'' Sahin said, adding that he would remain a fan and club member at Dortmund. ''I am approaching this with great self-confidence and have matured into a player who can make it at Real.''

The midfielder - ruled out of Dortmund's final four games of the season through a knee injury - said there weren't many other clubs besides Madrid that he would leave for.

''Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world, and I'm proud to take this step,'' he said. ''It's the highest you can reach as a football player, and the chance for the international career I've hoped for. I'm leaving Dortmund only because of this.''

Sahin made his league debut in 2005, when he became the youngest player to play and score in the Bundesliga, before spending the 2007-08 season on loan at Dutch club Feyenoord.

His contract at Dortmund had been due to expire in 2013. The club didn't disclose the transfer fee.

The club insisted that coach Juergen Klopp's championship-winning side will otherwise stay together next season.

''Only in this case were our hands tied,'' sporting director Michael Zorc said. ''He just wanted to fulfill a lifelong dream.''

Madrid ended a two-season trophy drought by winning the Copa del Rey in April, but was later ousted by Barcelona from the Champions League semifinals.