THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MADRID, Spain — Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea signed a five-year contract with Manchester United on Wednesday, filling the gap left by the retirement of Edwin van der Sar.
Both clubs confirmed the De Gea transfer, although the fee was not disclosed.
Spanish media put the transfer price at 29 million euros ($42 million) while British reports said the deal was worth eight million pounds ($29 million).
The 20-year-old De Gea sealed the move after passing his medical. He becomes the third summer signing by the Red Devils after Blackburn defender Phil Jones and forward Ashley Young from Aston Villa, taking United’s spending to over 50 million pounds ($82 million).
"I feel very proud and I can’t wait to start playing here," De Gea said on Manchester United’s website. "When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you it obviously makes you very, very happy."
De Gea is one of Europe’s most promising goalkeepers. He helped Spain win the European U21 Championship last weekend.
Ferguson had already confirmed last month the club had earmarked De Gea to replace 40-year-old Dutchman Van der Sar, who retired after the club’s 3-1 loss in the Champions League final to Barcelona.
"I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability," De Gea said. "It’s a great privilege to be part of a club like United and I’m keen to do my best and show what I can do."
De Gea rose through the ranks before taking over the No. 1 spot in a Champions League game against FC Porto in September 2009 following an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo. De Gea never lost the job after that as Atletico won the Europa League in May 2010 and beat Inter Milan for the European Supercup in August of the same year.