Real sign Argentine striker Higuain

MADRID, Dec 14 (Reuters) Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain for a reported fee of 13 million euros (.17 million) from River Plate, Radio Marca said today.

The radio station said that the highly rated 19-year-old had agreed to sign a six and a half-year deal with the nine-times European champions.

Higuain shot to prominence last May when he scored twice as River Plate beat Brazilian champions Corinthians 3-1 to knock them out of the Libertadores Cup.

He scored twice more in the 3-1 win over arch-rivals Boca Juniors in October.

Higuain, who was born in France of Argentine parents and moved to the South American country when he was less than a year old, turned down a call-up from France in November.

Reuters SAM RN1802