La Liga - Van Nistelrooy to sign for Malaga

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has arrived in Malaga to sign a one-year contract with the La Liga club.

Van Nistelrooy, 35, was pictured in the city on Wednesday after flying in on a private plane to undergo a medical and sign his deal, which reportedly contains the option for a further year.

Asked by Reuters whether he could confirm a deal had been agreed with Malaga, the Dutch striker said he would be presented to the media on Thursday.

Malaga are poised to sign the striker on a free transfer after he ended his 18-month spell with Bundesliga club Hamburg at the conclusion of the German season.

Van Nistelrooy was targeted by Real Madrid in January as they sought to alleviate an attacking crisis, but was refused permission to return to the Bernabeu.

The former PSV Eindhoven and Manchester United star spent three-and-a-half years with Madrid, scoring an impressive 46 goals in 68 games in La Liga.

Malaga are expected to strengthen considerably this summer after coach Manuel Pellegrini helped the side pull away from relegation danger at the end of last season.

Bankrolled by Sheikh Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani, the Spanish club have also been linked with an ambitious offer for Palermo's in-demand playmaker Javier Pastore.

He has been a very good striker in the past with Man Utd and Real Madrid a prolific scorer . Also very good scorer with the dutch squad. But now i think this is coming towards the end of his career, mallaga i think will be the last club he signs for

he can still get goals for them, i have not seen him play for a long time so i dont know what he is like now.