Tuesday 26 August 2014

United sign Angel Di Maria for record fee



Argentina international midfielder joins on five-year contract.

Manchester United have signed winger Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £59.7m.

The Argentine winger, 26, had a medical in Manchester on Tuesday and has signed a five-year deal.
Di Maria - described as "world-class" by United boss Louis van Gaal - is likely to make his debut on Saturday against Burnley in the Premier League.

The Argentine said United were "the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for".

The fee eclipses the £50m Chelsea paid Liverpool for striker Fernando Torres in 2011.

Di Maria added: "Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top - where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started."

United manager Van Gaal praised Di Maria as "a world-class midfielder" but added "most importantly he is a team player".

"There is no doubting his immense natural talent," continued the Dutchman.

"He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team."

Di Maria is the sixth most expensive global signing ever, topped only by the big money paid out by Spanish giants Real and Barcelona.

Real signed Gareth Bale for £85m, Cristiano Ronaldo for £80m and James Rodriguez for £63m, while Barcelona paid between £65m and £75m for Luis Suarez, and £71m for Neymar.

United last broke the British transfer record when they paid Leeds £29.1m for former England defender Rio Ferdinand in 2002.

The Old Trafford club have now spent £131.7m since last season, having bought left-back Luke Shaw, midfielder Ander Herrera and Di Maria's Argentina team-mate Marcos Rojo for a combined £72m this summer.

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