Madrid, Sep 1 (IANS) Real Madrid confirmed a deadline day signing Monday with a loan deal to take Manchester United’s Mexican striker Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez to the club.
The 26-year-old Hernandez, whose nickname ‘Chicharito’ literally means ‘little pea’, joins Real Madrid on a deal which will see him play this season on loan after failing to convince new Manchester United coach, Luis Van Gaal he deserved a place in the squad, reports Xinhua.
His departure comes despite a record of scoring 59 goals in 154 games, although he had found his options limited during his last two seasons at the club after Manchester United signed Robin Van Persie from Arsenal, with Danny Welbeck also often preferred in a striking role.
The deal is thought to give Real Madrid the option of making the move for the Mexican international permanent if he impresses during the current campaign, while the loan is thought to have cost the Spanish side around two and a half million dollars.
Hernandez will fill a gap in the Real Madrid squad, which has existed since the sale of Alvaro Morata to Juventus over the summer and he will provide much needed back up to Frenchman, Karim Benzema.