Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has joined Hamburg on a free transfer from Real Madrid , the German Bundesliga club have confirmed . The 33-year-old Holland international had been linked with a number of clubs during the transfer window , including English Premier League sides West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur , but has signed a a one-and-a-half-year contract at the HSH Nordbank Arena . Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia revealed he was pleased to capture the former Manchester United striker and is confident he will find the net regularly for the club . Labbadia said : `` Ruud has proven his qualities impressively at some of Europe 's top clubs . I am convinced that he will also score some important goals for HSV . `` It just emphasises the reputation of our club that a player like Ruud van Nistelrooy decides to join Hamburg . '' Van Nistelrooy , who had been frozen out at Real Madrid and was keen to see first-team football in order to boost his hopes of making Holland 's World Cup squad , was equally thrilled to have made the switch . `` I am really happy that it has worked out and I am looking forward to Monday when I come to Hamburg , '' he added . `` I had great talks with both Bernd Hoffmann ( Hamburg president ) and Bruno Labbadia ( coach ) and had a very positive impression from the very beginning . `` HSV is a great club with a strong team and big ambitions . I also have big ambitions . ''
Bruno Labbadia has joined Bundesliga on a free transfer from Real Madrid , the Dutch Hamburg club have confirmed . Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia revealed he was pleased to capture the striker and is confident he will find the net regularly for the club . Real Madrid sides Tottenham and West Ham had also been interested in signing the ex-Manchester United forward .