United sign Valencia

Tue, 30 Jun 19:31:19 2009

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

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 £80million move to Real Madrid.

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

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he told the club's official website www.manutd.com.

"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."

 

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  1. reddevils_4life99 sorry I don't think so Valencia­ is a maybe, he is not proved at any high level, he has­ not played in the euro champs league or for any big­ club, looking good at Wigan does not mean you will at­ any bigger club, yet alone Utd, Andersen, Nani and­ Berbatov have in no way shown, so far, that they­ deserve a place at utd, Hargreaves is a no go, a­ signing that made no sense at the time, as we already­ had Carrick, and has made even less sense since.
    Next­ season depends on what happens next, on who else gets­ signed, on whether Fergie can get better out of­ Andersen, Nani and Berbatov or whether a few of the­ young players can come through and make a huge­ impact.
    Remember who badly we got beat by barca, how­ poor utd looked compared to them, does anyone really­ think Valencia is going to make up the difference?

    From clive V, on Wed 1 Jul 12:57AM
  2. Excellent signing - can't wait for the new season­ to begin!

    From dave.fleming, on Tue 30 Jun 8:01PM
  3. i think this will be a great signing....a player who­ allready knows the prem. and who WANTS to play for Utd­ and at a good price. I know he didn't score many­ goals, but he did put in a lot of good crosses and I am­ sure he will help other players to score.

    From Chill, on Tue 30 Jun 7:35PM
  4. Go for Torres. Even if we don't get him it will­ wind up Rafa

    From will.lilburn, on Tue 30 Jun 7:33PM
  5. COME ON ANTONIO HELP US WIN OUR 19TH PREMIER LEAGUE­ TITLE AND WELCOME TO THE BIGGIST AND BEST FOOTBALL CLUB­ IN ENGLAND YOU WILL DEFINITELY WIN SILVERWARE AT THIS­ MAGNIFICENT CLUB.
    GLOOOOOORY GLOOOOOORY MAN UTD

    From WAYNE, on Tue 30 Jun 7:32PM
  6. Good signing? Who knows.

    From Silver N, on Tue 30 Jun 7:31PM
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    hes rubish

    From paulparker633, on Tue 30 Jun 7:29PM
  8. good signing perhaps one more creative midfielder to­ fill the void left by ronaldo, anderson and nani to­ have a great season park and fletcher to keep the squad­ fresh and to help defend carrick to have a great season­ hargreaves to come back and keep the squad fresh­ scholes and giggs their when needed rooney and­ berbatouv to shine and bang in 50 plus goals between­ them another striker to strengthen the attack the back­ four is solid
    everything looking good

    From reddevils_4life99, on Tue 30 Jun 7:27PM
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