MADRID, Dec 3: Real Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Netherlands striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar from Ajax Amsterdam, the Spanish champions said on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old, who will sign a contract until 2013, will not be available for Real until January when he will be available to replace compatriot Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

In a separate statement, Ajax said Real would pay up to 27 million euros ($34.4 million), made up of a 20 million euro fixed payment and a 7 million euro variable payment.

Huntelaar’s first appearance for the side will depend on how quickly he recovers from an ankle injury that has sidelined him since the beginning of last month.—Reuters