UPDATE 1-Heijmans sells UK unit for 45 mln euros to cut debt

* Unit sold to management, Bouygues joint venture

* Deal will cut debt by 15 million euros

(Adds details)

AMSTERDAM, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Dutch builder Heijmans (HEIJ.AS) has sold its British unit Leadbitter for 45 million euros ($59 million) to cut debt and as it focuses on its domestic market following debt problems.

Heijmans said on Friday it was selling to a joint venture formed by the unit's management and French company Bouygues (BOUY.PA) in a deal that will cut net debt by 15 million euros.

The company said it would book a 5 million euro profit on the sale, adding the deal was in line with its strategy to focus on the Dutch and Belgian infrastructure market.

Heijmans, which raised 100 million euros in a rights issue last year, had earlier said it would sell international operations to cut debt and recover from a series of costly setbacks due to poor project controls.

The company said once competition authorities had been consulted the Leadbitter transaction can be completed immediately. (Reporting by Aaron Gray-Block; Editing by Dan Lalor) ($1 = 0.7626 euro)