Real Madrid completed the transfer of striker Gonzalo Higuain to Italian club Napoli on Saturday.

Madrid said on its website that it wished Higuain "good luck in the new stage" of the 25-year-old Argentina international's career.

The transfer reportedly cost Napoli 40 million euros ($53 million) for Higuain to play under newly appointed coach Rafa Benitez.

Higuain arrived at Madrid from River Plate in 2006.

He helped Madrid win the Spanish league in 2007, 2008 and 2012 plus the Copa del Rey in 2011. He scored 121 goals in 264 appearances for Madrid, but was unable to establish himself as its regular first-choice striker.

Higuain said he wanted to change teams at the end of last season.

Napoli has already signed forward Jose Callejon and defender Raul Albiol from Madrid, goalkeeper Pepe Reina from Liverpool on loan, winger Dries Mertens from PSV Eindhoven and goalkeeper Rafael from Santos.

Napoli recently made 60 million euros ($79 million) from the sale of Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid has been rumored to be interested in Premier League stars Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez to team up with forward Cristiano Ronaldo and striker Karim Benzema. With Higuain gone, the club will likely increase its efforts to bring in another top-notch attacking player.