Real Madrid have confirmed on their official website on Friday night that Gabriel Heinze has concluded his switch to Olympique Marseille.

The brief statement read: “Real Madrid and Marseille have reached an agreement for the transfer of Gabriel Ivan Heinze to the French club.”

The 31-year-old will sign a three-year deal with l’OM, but the transfer fee remains undisclosed.

Heinze, who was already in Marseille to complete his medicals and contract signing before the formal confirmation was released, said during his presentation, “The club’s sports project convinced me and from there, the negotiations were concluded quickly.

“The objective is clear and that’s why I am here. All the great clubs are always fighting for titles and that is what I will work for,” he added.

The former Paris-St Germain defender then revealed that his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu was his choice, and not solely because he didn’t fit into the plans of coach, Manuel Pellegrini.

“I’ve enjoyed two tremendous seasons at the club, but the life of a footballer is such,” he reasoned. “We are made to change clubs. I am proud to be here and I will give everything I have.”

Meanwhile, his new trainer, Didier Deschamps noted, “He is a typical Argentine defender. He loves a good battle, he is tough and he has good technical qualities. He’s not just a ‘destroyer’.”