Premier League - United complete Valencia swoop

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 10:15:00 2009

Manchester United have made their first signing of the summer after confirming a deal has been done for Antonio Valencia.

FOOTBALL Wigan winger Antonio Valencia, who joined Manchester United - 0

The 23-year-old Ecuador international has signed a four-year contract after moving for an undisclosed fee.

Valencia, who joins from Wigan where he scored three goals last season, is expected to help fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo following the star winger's £80 million move to Real Madrid.

Valencia's signature is reported to have cost United in the region of £16m with the winger describing the move as a "dream".

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he told the club website.

"I have enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here.

"Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can't wait to get started."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he had tracked Valencia's progress since his arrival at Wigan two seasons ago.

"Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan," he said.

"I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team."

PA Sport

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  1. GOOD MORNING MY DARLING STEVEN PRETTY BOY LIVERPOOL­ FAN...I AM IS HAVIN DA SEXY DREEM OF YOU...I IS MUST­ SAY DAT YOU IS LOOK PRETTY DAN EVA...STOKE­ CITY...MOLOLO SHALOLA

    From paddy_buy_yours, on Wed 1 Jul 9:17AM

  2. DEAN33 its gonna happen!!!!

    From jon, on Wed 1 Jul 9:17AM

  3. anyone who scores 3 goals for wigan must be king

    From Ciaran, on Wed 1 Jul 9:14AM

  4. jonboy you are an plonker.

    From dean33lyle, on Wed 1 Jul 9:07AM

  5. Ooohhhh... 3 goals last season!!! Fabulous!!!

    From Steven, on Wed 1 Jul 9:07AM

  6. UTD ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE DIVING CHEATS !! GUNNERS­ PLAY BEST ENTERTAINING FOOTBALL IN EUROPE!! FULL SWEEP­ OF ALL SILVERWARE NEXT SEASON!! UTD TO BE RELAGATED­ LIKE 74!!!!

    From jon, on Wed 1 Jul 9:06AM

  7. wolves have signed Doyle! WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

    From Chris H, on Wed 1 Jul 9:02AM

  8. to elrosso ; your a belter too!!! valencia is quite­ rightly a fantastic prospect, and in time he should do­ very well at a place like man u, but dont kid yourself­ just yet that the prems in the bag this commin year.­ taking away ronaldos input last season, 20 odd goals­ and in which games tevez scored, man u has still not­ covered who will help with this situation. berbatov for­ you guys sake has done his easing in period and u­ better all hope the rest step up too coz this year IS­ the year liverpool do it, no excuses

    From fairweather, on Wed 1 Jul 8:57AM

  9. to ugelela ; taking nothing away from valencia, to be­ fair, ronaldo was like 18 year old not 23, look what­ happened in the 4 years he was at man u, voted best in­ the world and won! if ya think valencia will even get­ 10 goals next season your dreaming

    From fairweather, on Wed 1 Jul 8:54AM

  10. mcpluker dream on city are the scum of manchester and­ all the money in the world will never make you as good­ as we are and tevez will be the only united player to­ ever sign for you cos he will be given as a example to­ other greedy players how your career of medals and­ glory goes downhill if you go to blue scum cant wait­ till you lot get your wake up call and prices go up cos­ the arabs want a return on there oil money you will be­ another chelsea abramovich is bored with them already­ and doesnt spend his cash anymore which is what will­ happen to you ha ha ha

    From DAZGGMU-RED-LEGEND-OF-YAHOO, on Wed 1 Jul 8:53AM

  11. Im Sure valencia will develop into a fantasic player...­ the fact he only scored 3 goals means @#$% playing with­ manchester will give he a lot more scoring­ opportunitesas oppose to wigan he's only 23 and­ next year we will all talk about what a profitable­ signing he was... I hope.... viva valencia..

    From eamon, on Wed 1 Jul 8:52AM

  12. Oh dear! Just when you all hoped Man Utd would not get­ any stronger we just have. Who is capable of stopping­ Man Utd winning the lot again? Nobody. Looks like­ another stroll in the park to the title again and the­ rest of you can fight it out for second and third spot.­ Everton or Villa might even overtake Liverpool for­ forth spot.

    From elrosso, on Wed 1 Jul 8:45AM

  13. well done united .. hope he can be a great there.

    From Sean V, on Wed 1 Jul 8:45AM

  14. how many goals did ronaldo score for sportinglisbon­ before he came to manchester united 3 and valencia­ scored three this season so all u­ chelsea,liverpool,arsenal,barca,and real madrid watch­ out

    From ugelela, on Wed 1 Jul 8:37AM

  15. old trafford is a springboard to manchester city­ glactico`s of europe in the next 18 months iff anny­ good theayll follow tevez leaving the insignificant­ fergies corrupt evil regieme in the dolldrums

    From mcpluker, on Wed 1 Jul 8:35AM

  16. Valencia will do OK, and will prove all cynical­ doubters and homeless scousers wrong. Like United­ usually do.

    From Colonel K, on Wed 1 Jul 8:30AM

  17. does not matter who utd sign nobody will be able to­ stay with the mighty gunners this coming season!! team­ is rebuit and ready to destroy all home and europe!!!­ AFC TOP MC 2ND !!!!man utd diving cheats NOTHING!!!!!

    From jon, on Wed 1 Jul 8:28AM

  18. lets face it, he's no winker but does seem a wa^ker

    From Alex fergusons big red conk, on Wed 1 Jul 8:27AM

  19. one question for all..before ronaldo come to old­ trafford, how many goal that he score for sporting­ lisbon??i think not so many goal he score for S.Lisbon.­ Since he arrived at old trafford, he make 1st debut not­ impressive for me..but after the 2nd season that i­ think he performed well as improvement under SAF­ coaches

    From firdaus.mohdali, on Wed 1 Jul 8:11AM

  20. He wont be able to fill ronaldos boots if thts what­ theyre tryin to do!

    From forestreds, on Wed 1 Jul 8:06AM
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