France forward Benzema to join Real Madrid

By Andre Assier

PARIS (Reuters) - France striker Karim Benzema has agreed to join Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon, the two clubs said on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old Benzema will become Real's third major signing after Brazil's Kaka and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real and Lyon agreed a transfer fee which could reach 41 million euros and Benzema will sign a six-year contract after undergoing a medical.

"We needed to make a quick decision and we decided to let Karim go where he wanted," Lyon coach Claude Puel told reporters.

"It's an important decision for him with a year to go before the World Cup," Puel added. "We are losing a high quality player and we know how much Lyon owe him but he needed a new challenge and he is, I believe, strong enough to face it."

Benzema, who helped Lyon win four consecutive French titles from 2005 to 2008, had said previously he wanted to stay for at least another season.

"A few days ago, Karim Benzema informed (Lyon) president Jean-Michel Aulas of his wish to join the Madrid club, the one he has always preferred after Lyon, more quickly than he had initially planned," the seven-times champions said in a statement on their website (www.olweb.fr).