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. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A DOOT THOT YER 2 YEER OWLED NIECE HOS MAY INTELACT­ MISTAR NEGATIVE CHOMBER BYE.

    From Donney, on Wed 1 Jul 3:19AM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    283-YEE DINNAE REELISE WAT YER SAYAN WEE MON.

    From Donney, on Wed 1 Jul 3:18AM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    many nice and single girls have a account on­ _classymingle com_ so dont miss them. dont miss your­ classy lover!!

    From lianlian_y, on Wed 1 Jul 3:01AM

  4. Good news. He will probably if anything improve under­ Fergie.

    From harvister79, on Wed 1 Jul 2:53AM

  5. Donney - how does it feel knowing that my two year old­ niece has the ability to accidentally type more­ comprehensible sentences than you?

    From negativecamber, on Wed 1 Jul 2:44AM

  6. who gives a @#$%, Celtic Forever.

    From inverkenny, on Wed 1 Jul 2:43AM

  7. I think that valencia will be fine in the united line­ up. he has been stuck with wigan for the past 2 years­ where he hasnt had the chance to shine. people shouldn­ criticise he decision until they hav seen him play in­ the team.

    From walshy_12, on Wed 1 Jul 2:28AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NA A OM NAT A PEADO BAT A NAY A BYE THOT AS WAN.

    From Donney, on Wed 1 Jul 2:03AM

  9. last season where he scored three goals for­ wigan...

    heh heh

    From phil d, on Wed 1 Jul 1:52AM

  10. he is a very good player and still young. but still not­ sure if he'll fit in to MU. he looks really good­ with Wigan but MU are a lot better, that might make him­ just a normal player after all.

    From c, on Wed 1 Jul 1:45AM

  11. offer benzema and ribery the remainder of the cash­ thats left from fergie, then i think it will be­ complete, AND IF NOT WHOEVER FINISHES ABOVE UNITED IN­ THE LEAGUE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

    From Andy T, on Wed 1 Jul 1:36AM

  12. FFS ALL YOU SO CALLED MAN U FANS SAYING FERGIE SHOULD­ STAND DOWN IF THIS IS THE WRONG SIGNING, WHAT DO YOU­ EXPECT, FOR HIM TO SCORE AT LEAST 30 GOALS IN FIRST­ SEASON, THEN AT LEAST 40 NEXT SEASON, SHUT UP WILL YOU­ AND GET A LIFE, YOUR NOT FANS YOUR JUST GLORY HUNTERS­ AND EXPECT THINGS TO HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY, THEY'RE­ NOT AND IT TOOK RONALDO SEVERAL SEASONS BEFORE HE WAS­ OF ANY GREATNESS QUALITY, FERGIE HAS TRACKED THIS GUY­ FOR YEARS, HE WILL MOULD HIM TO WHAT HE WANTS AND WHATS­ BEST FOR THE TEAM, I AM WORRIED YES, BUT NOT TO THE­ EXTREME THAT IF HE FAILS TO HAVE A GOOD START THAT­ FERGIES HEAD IS WANTED ON THE CHOPPING BOARD, THIS IS­ THE FIRST OF HOPEFULLY 3 BIG SIGNINGS, ANOTHER STRIKER­ FOR SURE AND AN ATTACKING MIDFIELDER, MAYBE SQUEEZE A­ GOALKEEPER TOO, AS THERE'S BEEN TALK OF THOMAS­ GOING AND BEN FOSTER HAVING ITCHY FEET, GET VALDES HERE

    From Andy T, on Wed 1 Jul 1:33AM

  13. p,do all the way

    From spookholylands, on Wed 1 Jul 1:05AM

  14. hi donney..ru some kind of weird pedo

    From spookholylands, on Wed 1 Jul 1:03AM

  15. hi donney..ru some kind of weird pedo

    From spookholylands, on Wed 1 Jul 1:02AM

  16. hi donney..ru some kind of weird pedo

    From spookholylands, on Wed 1 Jul 1:00AM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    This is a bad move. I said weeks ago that signing­ someome that has never played in the euro champs league­ or for any big team is a bad move, just because you can­ look good at Wigan does not mean you will at utd.
    I­ have to say, as a utd fan and even a fan of Fergie, if­ this signing proves to be bad Fergie needs to stand­ down, last season he got no one worthy of playing for­ utd, he waited too long and had to pay far too much for­ Berbatov.
    There is still time for Fergie to show he­ still has the wisdom and what it takes to get the best­ players, they mucked around with Tevez, I hope I am­ wrong. Time will tell.

    From clive V, on Wed 1 Jul 12:42AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Game Over for ManUnited! A trophyless season next.

    From damnsoldja, on Wed 1 Jul 12:42AM

  19. im a chelsea fan, and i hate united to the core, BUT,­ city will always live in the shadow of them. as for­ valencia, might be a bit pricey, but then again hes­ only 23, and will have a better squad to work with so­ might very well turn out a great signing

    From le.daniel18, on Wed 1 Jul 12:39AM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A FINK A MEET GO ANTAY WETCH MOVSEES DAT CAM OND WETCH­ A WEE MOVSEE.

    From Donney, on Wed 1 Jul 12:34AM
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