Real Madrid have signed Italy striker Antonio Cassano on a four-and-half-year contract from AS Roma subject to passing a medical, the Spanish club said on Tuesday.

"Real Madrid have reached an agreement with Roma to sign Cassano," read an official statement carried by Real's website.

"The 23-year-old international will sign until 2010 after completing a medical on Wednesday before being introduced at the Santiago Bernabeu."

Although no financial details were announced, Spanish media reported that Cassano will receive $6.54 million.

His contract, supposed to expire in the end of the season, cost the Italian-capital side $28.5 million when they landed him in 2001.

Cassano said he was delighted to join Real which he described as the best club in the world.

"I have been always dreaming of playing in the world's best club and my dream came true," Cassano told Real's official website.

"I wished to play in Real Madrid alongside Francesco Totti since I was 16 and I have achieved my own part of this dream."

The former Bari star is Real's second signing in the winter transfer window after they landed Brazil and Sao Paolo's right-back Cicinho.