Hamburg have signed Real
Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The 33-year-old had been linked with a host of clubs recently as
he looked to secure more playing time, with West Ham and Tottenham just two of the teams that were
interested in the former Manchester
United striker.
But HSV confirmed after their 1-0 Bundesliga defeat at Borussia
Dortmund on Saturday evening that they had won the race for the
player's signature.
Van Nistelrooy quit international football after Holland's
quarter-final exit to Russia at Euro 2008, but recently expressed
his desire to return and now has his sights firmly set on a place
in Bert van Marwijk's Oranje squad for South Africa.
"I would like to play well for HSV and be successful with them,"
he told hsv.de. "And then I obviously hope that the
national team coach gives me a call and that I can go to the World
Cup."
Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia was delighted to have secured the
services of the prolific Dutchman.
He said: "Ruud has proved his qualities impressively at some of
Europe's top clubs. I am convinced that he will also score some
important goals for HSV.
"It just emphasises the reputation of our club that a player
like Ruud van Nistelrooy decides to join Hamburg."
Van Nistelrooy was equally thrilled to have become a Hamburg
player.
"I am really happy that it has worked out," he said.
"I am also looking forward to Monday when I come to Hamburg. I
had great talks with both Bernd Hoffmann (Hamburg president) and
Bruno Labbadia and had a very positive impression from the very
beginning.
"HSV is a great club with a strong team and big ambitions. I
also have big ambitions."