BERLIN: Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy signed an 18-month contract on Saturday with Bundesliga side Hamburg having left Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer.

His new club announced the news on Saturday night, after Hamburg's 1-0 defeat at Dortmund which left Bruno Labbadia's side fifth in the table. The 33-year-old Dutchman has signed a contract until June 2011.

"Hamburg are a great team with a strong squad and large ambitions, which I also have."

The Dutchman and former Manchester United ace has scored 46 goals in 68 league games for Real but has struggled to make the team this season because of injury.

AFP