Karim Benzema, the France forward, has joined Real Madrid from Lyons, the Ligue 1 club have confirmed. The fee is estimated to be an initial €35 million (about £30 million) rising to €41 million (around £35 million).

Benzema, 21, who had also been a target for Manchester United, becomes Real's third major signing after Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo joined from AC Milan and Manchester United respectively.

A statement on the Lyons website read: "Lyon announce they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid on the details of the transfer of their international attacker Karim Benzema.

"A few days ago Karim Benzema informed the club president Jean Michel Aulas of his desire to move to the Madrid club, which had always been his favourite club after Lyon, earlier than he had foreseen.

"The player wanted to seize the opportunity which Real Madrid offered him to be one of the major elements in their new ambitious project based around the greatest players of the world.

"Lyon accepted Karim Benzema's decision and negotiated the conditions of a transfer which satisfies all the different parties.

"The club wishes Karim the greatest success with Real Madrid."