Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez signs with Bayer Leverkusen on 3-year deal

Javier Hernandez has joined Bayer Leverkusen from Manchester United, the Bundesliga club have announced.

The Mexico striker, who spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, has signed a three-year contract after the clubs agreed a fee believed to be around £7.3million ($11.2 million).

The move was completed on transfer deadline day in Germany.

Hernandez, 27, was on the bench for United's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Swansea on Sunday but last started for the team more than a year ago.

He returned to United after scoring nine goals during his spell with Real - including the winner in their Champions League quarter-final against rivals Atletico Madrid - but manager Louis van Gaal has again allowed him to leave.

Hernandez told the Leverkusen website, www.bayer04.de: "I know two of the biggest leagues in Europe in the English Premier League and the Primera Division in Spain and now I want to experience the Bundesliga.

"I've heard a lot about the fantastic stadia in Germany and about the unique fans they have there.

"The Bundesliga is an extremely attack-minded league and it's particularly enticing for me.

"It's fantastic that I can now play for a club like Leverkusen, who are obviously known to me from the Champions League.

"Bayer Leverkusen is a big opportunity for me and I can and want to achieve a lot here."

Leverkusen were drawn alongside Barcelona, Roma and BATE Borisov in Group E of the Champions League last week.

The club's general manager Michael Schade said: "After we finally secured our place in the Champions League, we wanted to send out a clear signal with our attack, and we've succeeded in doing this with Javier Hernandez."

Hernandez scored 59 goals in 156 appearances for United after signing from Chivas in 2010.