English Premier League side, Manchester United have announced the £16m
signing of Argentina international defender Marcos Rojo on a five-year
contract.
Rojo, who touched down in Manchester on Tuesday evening, has signed a
four-year contract after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
Louis van Gaal made it a priority to sign a left-footed defender and
stepped up his pursuit of Rojo, 24, following Saturday’s shock home
defeat by Swansea. The Argentine will wear the No 5 shirt.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce the signing of defender
Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of 20million euros, with Nani
joining the Portuguese club on a season-long loan,” read a statement
from United. “Marcos joins on a five-year contract”.
The deal was held up while United negotiated with Doyen Sports, the
investment company that owned a percentage of Rojo’s economic rights,
but on Tuesday night both clubs confirmed all parties have agreed terms.
‘It is such an honour to say that I now play for Manchester United,’
Rojo told the club website. ‘The Premier League is the most exciting
league in the world and to have the chance to play in it for the world’s
biggest club is a dream for me.
‘I am young and am very keen to continue to learn the game, so
playing for such an experienced technical coach as Louis van Gaal is a
fantastic opportunity for me. I have joined United to work hard with my
team-mates to win trophies and I know that the manager shares that
ambition.’
Van Gaal was similarly delighted in securing Rojo’s services.
‘Marcos is a very gifted defender. He has played at the highest level
in world football and can play either as a central defender or
left-back.
‘He has ability, physical strength and a willingness to learn that
means he has a very bright future ahead of him. He had a very strong
World Cup and has been playing in Europe for a couple of years now. He
is a very good addition to the team.’
The 24-year-old Argentine joins from Sporting Lisbon, with Nani moving to the Portuguese club on a season-long loan.
He began his career in his homeland with Estudiantes de la Plata and
spent a single season with Spartak Moscow before moving to Sporting in
2012.
He also has 28 caps for his country and cannot wait to play his part in Louis van Gaal’s new era at United.
Nani, who joined United from Sporting for £17m in 2007, has returned to his old club on loan for the season as part of the deal.
He was greeted by a mob of supporters in the Portuguese capital, jubilant at his comeback.About 2324xclusive Store
