Gareth Bale is a Real Madrid player after the Spanish giants agreed a deal with Tottenham.
The 24-year-old will undergo a medical before being showcased at the Bernabeu. A six-year deal worth £8.5m a year was agreed between Bale and Real long ago.
Sportsmail understands that the fee is a world-record £85million, despite reports in Spain putting the figure at around £78million – less than Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.
On the move: Gareth Bale, out in London on Saturday, has finally completed his move to Real Madrid
Final shot: Bale is leaving Tottenham after featuring in just one pre-season friendly this campaign
Bale has been omitted from Andre Villas-Boas’s squad this season after signalling his intent to join Real Madrid and after weeks of negotiations, the Spanish giants confirmed on their website they have got their man.
He will be paraded on the Bernabeu pitch at 12pm UK time on Monday before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm.
The Welsh star expressed his thanks to Spurs, while admitting his excitement at leaving for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.
Jumping for joy: Bale left White Hart Lane after scoring 55 goals in 203 matches for Spurs
In a statement on the Tottenham website, Bale said: ‘I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it’s the right time to say goodbye.
‘We’ve had some special times together over the years and I’ve loved every minute of it.
‘I would like to thank everyone at the Club, the Chairman, Board, staff, coaches and players – and most of all the fantastic fans who I hope will understand this amazing career opportunity.
‘I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date. I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.
End of an era: Bale, who won the Player and Young Player of the Year last term, will leave Tottenham
Star man: But Andre Villas-Boas conceded defeat in his bid to keep Bale at White Hart Lane
‘I am well aware that I would not be at the level I am today were it not for firstly Southampton and then Spurs standing by me during some of the tougher times and affording me the environment and support they have.
‘Tottenham will always be in my heart and I'm sure that this season will be a successful one for them. I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid.’
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy released a statement on the club’s official website, saying: ‘Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future.
Waiting in the wings: Bale hasn’t featured for Tottenham this season after signalling his desire to leave
Making the leap: Bale turned out sporadically for Spurs in pre-season because of injury
‘He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract.
‘Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth’s desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.
‘We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad to which we have added no fewer than seven top internationals. More importantly, we have an immense team spirit and a dressing room that is hungry for success.
‘We wish Gareth all the best in the future and he shall always be welcome at the Lane.’
Big stage: Bale will join a host of world stars at Real Madrid, including Cristiano Ronaldo
All smiles: Bale will be managed by former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, who took over at Madrid this summer
Manager Andre Villas-Boas, speaking after Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat at Arsenal, confirmed Bale was leaving for the Bernabeu.
‘He is going to join Real Madrid so we wish him all the best’ said the Portuguese.
‘The player is an absolutely wonderful player.
‘He has left us with some great memories from last season which every Tottenham fan cherishes, but he has moved on and we will move on as well.’
Read more: Daily Mail
