Real signs Javier Saviola from Barca

The Argentina striker refused a contract extension with Barcelona after falling out of favour with coach Frank Rijkaard.

Real Madrid has signed FC Barcelona striker Javier Saviola.

The Argentina striker signed by the Spanish team was set to arrive in Madrid and will be presented by the club on Friday, club spokesman Luis Villarejo said.

Villarejo couldn't confirm Spanish media reports that the 25-year-old striker had signed a four-year contract which would pay him USD 3.4 million per season.

Saviola, who turned down a contract extension with Barcelona after falling out of favour with coach Frank Rijkaard, scored 68 goals in 157 games in four seasons.

Saviola had helped lead Monaco to the Champions League final in 2004.

He also spent the next season on loan at Sevilla, which won the UEFA Cup.

Barcelona had paid River Plate USD 28 million in 1998 for the striker.

Saviola is the Spanish champions' fourth signing this week.

Madrid earlier hired Bernd Schuster from Getafe to replace Fabio Capello as coach on Monday. The team also signed defenders Christoph Metzelder from Borussia Dortmund and Pepe from FC Porto.

Schuster, Michael Laudrup and Luis Figo also moved from Barcelona to rival Madrid in the past.