Argentine striker Alario joins Leverkusen

FILE PHOTO - Lucas Alario (C) of Argentine club River Plate celebrates after scoring against Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima during their Club World Cup semi-final soccer match in Osaka, western Japan, December 16, 2015. REUTERS/Toru Hanai Picture Supplied by Action Images

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - - Bayer Leverkusen have reached a deal to sign Argentine striker Lucas Alario from River Plate, the German club said on Thursday.

"The 24-year-old international has invoked his buyout clause at River Plate Buenos Aires with the support of the Bundesliga side and the transfer fee has now been paid. That means the player is no longer under contract," the club said on their website. (https://www.bayer04.de)

They added on Twitter: "The transfer not yet 100% finalised, but will be in the coming days. The striker's release clause has been met and once he is officially released by the Argentine Football Association, we can expect him in Leverkusen.’

FILE PHOTO - Football Soccer - Boca Juniors v River Plate - Argentine First Division - Alberto J. Armando stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina 24/4/16. River Plate's Lucas Alario in action against Boca Juniors' Gino Peruzzi. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci Picture Supplied by Action Images

Alario was part of the River side that won the Copa Libertadores in 2015. He has three full caps.

(Writing by Andrew Downie,; Editing by Neville Dalton)