Madrid challenge excites Huntelaar

New Real Madrid CF forward Klaas Jan Huntelaar has admitted to feeling star-struck following his €27m move from AFC Ajax to the Santiago Bernabéu, saying: "This is the biggest club in the world and I'm still trying to take everything in."

Good recovery
At his official presentation on Thursday, the prolific Dutch international revealed that he was due to join the growing contingent of his compatriots at Madrid at the end of the current season, only for the timing of the move to be brought forward. "I would have been here a little later but the Madrid squad has been destroyed by injuries," said the 25-year-old, who is currently nursing an ankle injury. "My recovery is going very well. In one or two weeks, I believe I will be back to full fitness."

Higher level
Huntelaar has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the nine-time European champions after a burst of 76 league goals in 92 games for Ajax. Madrid hope he can transfer that impressive strike-rate to the Liga and prove a ready-made replacement for knee-injury victim Ruud van Nistelrooy. While the former Manchester United FC striker is ruled out for the rest of the season, the presence of fellow Dutch internationals Royston Drenthe, Rafael van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder in the Real squad means Huntelaar should have little difficulty in settling in. "My integration here will be quite easy as there are already many Dutch players with the club," the former SC Heerenveen forward said. "It's true that the Spanish league is a small step up in level to that of the Eredivisie, but that's the challenge that has to be faced and I think I'm ready."