Diarra agrees five-year deal with Real

Mali international Maha-madou Diarra will join Real Madrid on a five-year deal from French champions Olympique Lyon after the Spanish club agreed personal terms with the midfielder.

Real said yesterday that the 25-year-old would be presented in the next few days after passing a medical with the club.

"He was the signing our coach (Fabio Capello) had asked for because he considered him to be essential and so we are delighted that we are able to grant him his wish," said Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon.

Neither club disclosed fee details but Spanish media say the nine-times European champions have agreed to pay Lyon some 26 million euros, making Diarra the most expensive close-season signing in the Primera Liga.

A key figure in the Lyon midfield, Diarra joined the French side from Vitesse Arnhem in 2002 and has won the last four Ligue 1 titles with the club.