German international midfielder Sami Khedira is heading to Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid after the La Liga club agreed a deal with Stuttgart.

Although the Bundesliga club refused to give details of the fee, it is believed to be in the region of 14 million euros ($18.3 million).

"It's not easy to lose such a leading player as Sami Khedira," said Stuttgart sporting director Fredi Bobic. "However, on the other side, we understand Sami's wish to further his career by playing for Real."

Khedira's Stuttgart contract runs until the end of 2011 and the club risked receiving no fee if he left at the end of next season.

Since his international debut last September, Khedira has impressed and was given his chance to feature in the World Cup in South Africa when team captain Michael Ballack was kept out of the side through injury.

Successful partnership

Khedira formed a successful midfield partnership with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Germany finished in third place in the competition.

The 23-year-old, who has a Tunisian father and German mother, is Mourinho's latest addition to the Real Madrid squad after the signing of Argentina winger Angel Di Maria and Spanish attacking midfielders Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon.

Mourinho was hired to lead Real to new heights, and a first Champions League title since 2002, after football arch-rivals Barcelona won the Spanish league for a second season in succession earlier this year.

Author: Richard Connor (dpa/Reuters)

Editor: Nigel Tandy