MADRID (Spain) - REAL Madrid has agreed to sign France midfielder Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth.

Madrid said on Sunday that Diarra has agreed a contract until 2013, pending the results of a medical examination on Monday.

Spanish media have reported that Madrid will pay euro10 million (S$20.3 million) for Diarra. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder will replace Mali international Mahamadou Diarra, who is sidelined for the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Diarra signed a 3 1/2-year contract when he joined Pompey from Arsenal in January. He previously played for Chelsea and French side Le Havre. He has made 16 appearances for the French national team.

Diarra is Madrid's second recent signing, following striker Jan Klaas Huntelaar's move from Ajax.

Madrid, which replaced coach Bernd Schuster with Juande Ramos on Dec 9, is nine points behind Spanish leader Barcelona, which played Villarreal later Sunday. -- AP