Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has joined Monaco on a one-season loan deal, the French Ligue 1 club confirmed on Sunday.

Morientes was in Monaco to negotiate the last details of the deal and watched the principality team beat Metz 1-O.

"I wish to help the team stay at the top of the standings and I hope to win a title with Monaco," Morientes said.

"I watched the game and they're a good team. I'm full of hope," Morientes added.

Morientes, 27, joined Real from Real Zaragoza in 1997 and helped them win three European Cups and two league titles but the arrival of Ronaldo at the start of the 2002-03 season forced him out of the starting line-up.

Monaco were looking for a high profile striker to replace Congo's Shabani Nonda, who will be out of action for the rest of the season.

Nonda, the Ligue 1 leading goalscorer last season, injured his knee against Paris St Germain a week ago.

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