MADRID, July 19 - Former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek is to join Real Madrid, the Spanish champions said on Thursday.

The 34-year-old Polish international, who was out of contract at Liverpool, will take a medical on Friday before being presented at the Bernabeu at 1100 GMT, the club said on their Web site (www.realmadrid.com).

He will be the backup to Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, after Diego Lopez moved to join Villarreal.

Dudek had played for Liverpool since 2001 after moving from Feyenoord, and hit the headlines when his 'rubber legs' penalty saves helped the side beat AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul in 2005.

For the last two seasons, he had been the number two to Pepe Reina at Anfield.

He becomes Real's fourth signing of the close season after defenders Christoph Metzelder and Pepe, and Argentine striker Javier Saviola.