Tottenham and Real Madrid have confirmed that a deal has been completed for the transfer of Gareth Bale to the La Liga side on a six-year contract.

Bale will wear the number 11 shirt in Madrid.

No official fee for the Welsh international has been announced, but reports in the United Kingdom suggest he may have moved for around £86 million while the El Mundo newspaper has reported that the fee is around €91m (£77.7m). It is also claimed that he will earn £300 000 per week.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy confirmed the deal was done despite their initial reluctance to sell the player, and that the club only agreed to it because of the quality in their current team.

“Gareth was a player we had absolutely no intention of selling as we look to build for the future,” explained Levy,

“He is a player whose career we have fostered and developed and he was only a year into his new four year contract.

“Such has been the attention from Real Madrid and so great is Gareth's desire to join them, that we have taken the view that the player will not be sufficiently committed to our campaign in the current season.

“We have, therefore, with great reluctance, agreed to this sale and do so in the knowledge that we have an exceptionally strong squad.”

The player himself expressed delight and admitted that it was the right time to make his "dream" move.

"I have had six very happy years at Tottenham but it's the right time to say goodbye," said 24-year-old Bale, according to BBC.

"We've had some special times together and I've loved every minute of it.

"I am not sure there is ever a good time to leave a club where I felt settled and was playing the best football of my career to date.

"I know many players talk of their desire to join the club of their boyhood dreams, but I can honestly say, this is my dream come true.

"Tottenham will always be in my heart and I'm sure this season will be a successful one for them.

"I am now looking forward to the next exciting chapter in my life, playing football for Real Madrid."