Benzema presented at Bernabeu

France striker Karim Benzema passed a medical and signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid on Thursday, before being presented in front of about 20,000 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"I am delighted to be able to play in the club where my idols Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo played. Thank you (Real president) Florentino Perez," the 21-year-old said.

Benzema, the Primera Liga club's fourth high profile signing of the close season, has moved from Olympique Lyon for a fee that could rise to 41 million euros ($57.07 million).

Benzema, who helped Lyon win four consecutive French titles from 2005 to 2008, had said previously he wanted to stay for at least another season.

An exciting mix of pace, power and skill, not unlike his Brazil striker Ronaldo, his childhood hero, Benzema had been chased by several top European sides, including Manchester United.

Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, Benzema shone through the youth ranks and made his Ligue 1 debut as a 17-year-old in 2005.

His best season was 2007-08 in which he was Ligue 1's top scorer with 20 goals. Lyon also lifted the French Cup to complete their first domestic double.

A member of France's Under-17 European championship-winning side in 2004 alongside Arsenal's Samir Nasri, Benzema has scored six goals in 24 appearances for France but has not yet fulfilled his potential at international level.