Spanish champions Real Madrid have confirmed Ajax forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar will move to the Bernabeu in January's transfer window.The 25-year-old, who has long been linked with a move to Madrid, will sign a deal with the capital club until June 2013 subject to passing a medical.

According to the Ajax website, Huntelaar will join Real on January 2 for an initial 20million euros (£17m), rising to a potential 27million euros (£23m).

In a statement released on the Real Madrid website the club confirmed: "Huntelaar is the new Real Madrid player. Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam have reached an agreement for the forward.

"As is usual, the deal is dependent on the player passing a medical and the signing of his contract with Real Madrid.

"Klaas Jan Huntelaar will be tied to Real Madrid until June 30, 2013."

Huntelaar is currently sidelined by an ankle injury which is set to rule him out until early 2009.

UEFA rules state that once the deal is completed Huntelaar can be eligible to be added to Madrid's squad for the Champions League, as he has only competed with Ajax this season in the UEFA Cup.

The deal, which will provide Real with cover for long-term injury victim Ruud van Nistelrooy, will earn Dutch club Heerenveen around 2.5million euros as part of the agreement Ajax signed when they signed the player in 2005.