Ruud van Nistelrooy signed a contract with Hamburg on a free transfer from Real Madrid in what is the most daring personnel move in the Bundesliga this winter.

The former Dutch international netted 46 goals in 68 league games for Real. A knee injury put him out of action last season, and he was having difficulty getting playing time at the Spanish giants.

Van Nistelrooy, who has played for Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven, is the only player to have been top scorer in the English, Dutch and Spanish leagues.

The deal will last until 2011 and van Nistelrooy will earn much less than the salary of 6 million euros ($8.5 million) he received at Real.

"I am delighted that it worked out," said van Nistelrooy. "HSV is a great club, has a strong team and great ambitions. And I have great ambitions as well," he said.

Manager Bruno Labbadia said the striker, who retired from international football in 2008 but has been mulling a comeback for the oranje at the World Cup, was a valuable addition to his squad.

"I am convinced that he will score important goals for Hamburg," he said. "It shows this club's standing that a player of Ruud van Nistelrooy's caliber would choose to come here."

Hamburg had been competing with English sides Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United for the striker's services.

rc/AFP/dpa
Editor: Kyle James