United tie up Valencia deal

Winger agrees four-year contract to become first summer signing

Last updated: 1st July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

United tie up Valencia deal

Valencia: Dream come true

Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me.

Antonio Valencia.
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Manchester United have wrapped up the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

Valencia has been a long-term target for the Premier League champions and has agreed a four-year contract at Old Trafford.

The Ecuador international becomes United's first signing of the summer as Sir Alex Ferguson looks to reinvest the £80million raised by the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Reports have put the fee in the region of £18million and Ferguson is looking forward to the 23-year-old making an impact with the Red Devils next season.

Ferguson told the club's official website: "Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan.

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

Thrilled

Valencia is expected to be a direct replacement for Ronaldo on the right-hand side and he had also been tracked by Spanish giants Real.

However, after finalising his move to United, the former Villarreal winger revealed it is a 'dream come true' to be linking up with the champions.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," said Valencia.

"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."

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Comments (43)

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Adam Sanders (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

To all Man U supporters, you have signed an absolute genius. Have a look back at some of the goals he's scored and assisted. Yes his pace is electric but his main attribute is his flair, he is unpredictable, unnerving and has one hell of a foot on him. He is a great loss to Wigan Athletic, but as with all things in football the little fish are eaten by the big fish. Wigan has become a development club for a lot of players, (Heskey? Palacios? Valencia) they come to Wigan with something to prove and captialize on the potential of the Premier League. Antonio, best of luck at Man U, don't celebrate if you score against us!

Posted 08:51 1st July 2009

Craig Williams (Manchester United fan) says...

I think this is a great signing for United. A young, hungry player who is eager to prove himself. He is quick,can use both feet and can play inside the striker or central as weel as the wing. He works hard, has already adapted to life in England and has 2 years EPL experience. All his fomrer mangers have commented on what a talent he is too. A masterstoke by SAF one would think. Remember, Fergie knows best!!

Posted 08:51 1st July 2009

John Kadundo (Manchester United fan) says...

Do we all remember the talk about replacing Roy Keane just after he left, or Ruud? Well, we never did and look what Man Utd did a few years later! When a big star leaves there is never "replacing him". Sir Alex finds another way for the team to play with successful results! Just wait and see... Am so positive Valencia will come in and supply that much difference that will help the club to get forward.

Posted 08:42 1st July 2009

Jason mikel Chalwe (Manchester United fan) says...

Fantastic signing!!Valencia is just a kind of player man utd needed after ronaldo left the team!!It would become too much pressure for Nani to single handedly maintain the pacy winger status at man utd.Now he has got a compatriot.Plus points for valencia are:1)He is well set at premier league;2)He is only 23 and ferguson just knows how to develop a talent;3)He has got blistering pace and can pair up with strikers like rooney and berbatov very well!! Another important thing though is antonio valencia can play as central attacking midfielder.

Posted 08:38 1st July 2009

Sairaj Venkateswaran (Manchester United fan) says...

As much an admirer that I am of Cristiano Ronaldo I must say that he tried to become bigger than the club which is unacceptable for a club like - Manchester United. I would like to thank ronaldo for all the skills he showcased as a red devil but i guess it was time to say who's next. I urge all the United fans to maintain their belief in the living Legend of this club - Sir Alex, who has always proved his critics wrong every single time. Common Fergie, just bring in Benzema and lets have a galacticos of our own, for the simple reason that - "United are 2nd to none"

Posted 07:28 1st July 2009

Whithney Snape says...

Whether we beileive Valencia is of the highest standard or not does not matter, because Ferguson belives he will assist in helping us win trophies next season. The amounts being quoted for the 6 players everyone keeps regurgitating is not realistic and therefore they will not be coming to Old Trafford. There are serious implications for most football clubs included UTD if they follow the Real Madrid business plan. £30-35 milliion is the most Ferguson will spend on a player as you need to take in to account wages etc , and if the player comes in from another league they will need to get used to the English league which is different to any other in the world. Spending a vast amount of money does not mean they will be a success in the English league. Diego Forlan has been at the top of the La Liga goalscoring charts for quite a few season, however he was not deemed a sucess in England, because the styles are very different. Is he a £40 million player now?

Posted 07:26 1st July 2009

Danny Getts (Manchester United fan) says...

It's a bit of a dissapointment, some United fans stating that Sir Alex has messed up with a signing like Valencia. Since when has the club been about one player? Cristiano is a great player and difficult to replace, but we've won trophies without him. The system will change hopefully leaving Wayne to play in his best position as a striker and i'm sure we would like to add Benzema to that line-up as well. It's not over yet...

Posted 07:14 1st July 2009

Stephen Marwood (Middlesbrough fan) says...

It's remarkable that people think they know better than Sir Alex Ferguson, I remember when you signed Ronaldo to replace Beckham that a few Man United fans were saying "Who? Is this really the guy to replace Beckham?" Six years later same old story, So Valencia won't be as direct as Ronaldo was, maybe we're seing Ferguson going back to the style of play that we seen when you had Becks on the right wing - so what if AV was signed from Wigan? Wasn't it Wayne Rooney who was signed from Everton before Everton started being a top 10 team? Its obvious that united's midfeild is in need of a rebuilding job with Giggs and Scholes being seen a squad players now, I think a midfeild of Valencia - Carrick - Anderson - Robben would be seen as a better midfeild than last season, with the addition of Aguero, yeah Robben is injury prone, but Manchester United have the blessing of having a certain Wayne Rooney to step in when needed, good luck next year.

Posted 07:12 1st July 2009

Salako Ayotunde bukola (Manchester United fan) says...

Antonio Valencia is a very good player, he's got the pace as well as the flair, he has a lot to contribute the this every strong united team, Ronlado has gone but United still remains, Fergie's next target should be Ribery to man the left wing as well as Karim Benzema up front as a striking partner with Rooney, Man United will rule again.........

Posted 06:59 1st July 2009

Albert Handly (Manchester United fan) says...

Very effective signing, must not be thought to replace Ronaldo... I believe Valencia will bring many successes to the club in his own way....Thanks for Ronaldo's service to ManUtd, now it's time for another era where ManUtd is back to hunt many more silverware n dominate Europe again..With Karim Benzema on his way to OT too, I believe it's sooner than later, MU will prevail.. n hopefully while i'm still alive... break the record of 9 European titles Madrid has...Viva Valencia! and Diabolos Unitos forever!

Posted 06:54 1st July 2009

John Barber (Manchester United fan) says...

Is Andrew Barton really a football fan or is he just another glory hunting bandwagon jumper. There are many so called fans who were just waiting for Utd's first signing after the sale of Ronaldo. It does not matter who signed they would still of moaned that Ronaldo was the better player. The truth of the matter is Valencia is a quality player and he will do well at Old Trafford. There is also no doubt that the manager has a couple more signings yet to make. At what point will the so called fans start to realise that SIR Alex Ferguson is the best manager and decision maker in the history of English football, I think he is a good enough judge of player to make the right signings and the likes of Mr Barton should keep their misguided thoughts to themselve's

Posted 06:53 1st July 2009

Dhiren Adatia (Manchester United fan) says...

I am soo happy with Valencia. Ferguson is smart and signs fantastic players. He's a great signing for us, Valencia. I think he'll fit in uniteds play straight away. His pace and quality for Wigan was brilliant. Come on You Reds!!

Posted 06:48 1st July 2009

Nadzmin Sukiman (Manchester United fan) says...

A really good signing..Finally we have a proper winger who will crosses the ball..When Ronaldo was in united,the game plan has been changed to suite Ronaldo style..Now ronaldo has gone,and Rooney can finally show his true class..

Posted 06:34 1st July 2009

Deenie Ibrahim (Manchester United fan) says...

Talking about Ronaldo? He was not that of a big player when he first joins man utd. Utd has made him to be what he is now so good luck to him.Its time for another player to come in and make his own name big.Sir Alex is a wonderful and a genius in football management so we all respect his judgement and descision. It was the same when players like Beckham,ruud and Cantona leaves.Sir Alex is always capable of building a team that can compete at the highest level. Welcome to Valencia.Come and prove everyone wrong.You can be the best of what you wanted to be at utd.

Posted 06:33 1st July 2009

Jackson Msangula (Manchester United fan) says...

Valencia is one of the best player in the world, I believe that if the player can play at the left side while Nani in the right side all man u fans can quickly forget Ronaldo...It is the time now for Ferguson to speed up the signing of Karim Benzema and Frank Ribery because we have a lot of money this season. fans must remember that when David Beckham left his transfer fee used to purchase Ronaldo who helped Man u to get many titles.... the same will happen to Antonio Valencia

Posted 06:31 1st July 2009

Sam Mervyn (Manchester United fan) says...

I think Valencia will be a great signing. He's a natural winger who will track back and also use his pace and deliveries to trouble opposition. I think he's a astute signing.

Posted 05:45 1st July 2009

Clive Skinner (Manchester United fan) says...

At least Valensia will stay on his feet while playing, he does have quality tho maybe not as much as ronaldo. however he poses a real threat. and whatsmore is more likely to succeed where ronaldo failed. and thats by getting other players respect.

Posted 05:43 1st July 2009

Obaid Sangani (Manchester United fan) says...

Valencia is an intelligent signing (we needed an old school winger), i wouldn't want to replace ronaldo like for like as then rooney would again get played out of position at least now rooney can play center. We still need a striker and talk is about benzema but would like to point out sergio aguero, he is the finisher we need. We saw what torres came and did for liverpool so i feel ageuro is a better bet. Finally we need a strong holding midfielder to complement the team. Please dont come here and slate SAF if you call yourselves fans stick by thick and thin, he knows what his doing and as for ronaldo he wanted to go not much u can do bout that.

Posted 05:00 1st July 2009

John B (Manchester United fan) says...

Great signing; money well spent on a player that can keep the ball, has pace, vision, and is tremedously strong you won't see him on the floor throwing his arms up at the ref looking for a free kick; nor will you see him cutting inside instead of supplying the early ball; (for all Ronnie's skills the phrase "early ball" just wasn't in his vocabulary). All we need now is a striker who plays off the deepest defender and is willing to take a gamble on runs to near & far posts. For some reason the name Van Nistlerooy springs to mind

Posted 03:34 1st July 2009

Matthew Watson (Manchester United fan) says...

While Valencia is undoubtedly a good player and may i assure you my utmost respect and trust in SAF i do feel that Valencia will not fill the void left by Cristiano. Although Ronaldo had to be let go due to his persistence in wanting away and criticism of the bosses tactics, he will be sourly missed at OT. Admired for his fantastic individual displays and goals however no longer loved for his media flirting with a "Dream move to Real Madrid" and lackadaisical performances when things werent going his way. I still remain confident that SAF will continue to bring in quality players and uphold the principles laid out by the terrific and successful club. United will still be most, certainly my favourites to win the premier league and go far and if not win the champions league next year. However, no football person or fellow Manchester United fan can honestly say they were not disapointed for the club to no longer enrol the greatest footballer in the world. Other fans around the country especially those on merseyside inevitably will be happy with the sale of Ronald, but surely those of true patriotism will be annoyed at the loss from the english game of the worlds greatest or joint greatest player that has joined the spanish league with a host of other starts. The English press among others including players and managers have recently been labelling the premier league as "The best league in the world" yet a team from spain are the current champions league holders and another are attracting stars from around the world. I do believe that the English league is as good as the spanish league and will remain to fiercely compete for signings and championships but the press and others need to be less tunnel minded when talking about "the best league in the world " I am confident that yet again there will be more teams form the premier league in the latter stages of the champions league than from any other country.

Posted 02:53 1st July 2009
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