Faubert seals loan switch to Real

West Ham midfielder Julien Faubert has joined Spanish giants Real Madrid on loan until the end of the season.

The Frenchman, 25, was given permission to talk to Real after struggling to secure a first-team place this season.

Real will pay a £1.5m fee for the loan, with the option to buy Faubert at the end of the season on a three year-deal.

Faubert, who joined West Ham from Bordeaux for £6.1m in 2007, passed a medical in Madrid on Saturday and will be officially unveiled on Sunday.

Faubert ruptured his Achilles tendon shortly after joining West Ham, which kept him out of action until January 2008.

Madrid have been searching for a right winger during the transfer window and have been linked with Jermaine Pennant, Aaron Lennon and Antonio Valencia.

The Hammers signed midfielder Radoslav Kovac on a loan deal on Friday and have also signed striker Savio Nsereko during the transfer window.

West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury: "I was first contacted by Madrid on Friday and after extensive negotiations, we have agreed in principle a deal that would see them paying us a £1.5m fee to take Julien until the end of the season.

"His long-term future would then be reviewed in the summer, with a significant transfer fee payable should Madrid want to take up their option.

"Julien has struggled to get into Gianfranco Zola's team this season and, despite the high hopes we had for him when he joined us 18 months ago, he has not had the best of times.

"He had asked the manager about a possible move and we felt it right to let him talk to Real Madrid."