Manchester United sign Víctor Valdés on initial 18-month contract

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/08/manchester-united-sign-victor-valdes

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Manchester United have completed the signing of the former Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés on a free transfer.

Valdés has been training at United since October as part of his attempt to recover from a knee injury he suffered in March.

The Spaniard has regained full fitness and United confirmed he had signed a deal with them.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce that Víctor Valdés has signed an 18-month contract with the option to extend for a further year,” a statement from the club read.

Valdés left Barcelona last summer following a successful 12-year spell during which he won six domestic titles, three Champions Leagues and lifted the Copa del Rey on two occasions.

The goalkeeper has also won the World Cup and European Championship with Spain.

Louis van Gaal confirmed, however, that Valdés would start his time at United as second choice behind David de Gea.

“He joins the club as the number two goalkeeper and is a great addition to the first team,” the United manager said.

Van Gaal handed Valdés his Barça debut 13 years ago and has been impressed by the goalkeeper’s attitude while training at United.

“Víctor is a very experienced goalkeeper and his record speaks for itself,” Van Gaal said. “I have said on many occasions that Manchester United will always be interested in the best players.

“Víctor has remained very professional throughout his rehabilitation from injury and has been very impressive during his training sessions with the first team over the past weeks.”

Valdés said it was an honour to sign for United but acknowledged he faces an extremely tough fight to earn a first-team place at Old Trafford.

“I think now, in the moment, [De Gea] is the best goalkeeper in the world,” Valdés told MUTV. “His performances every day and in every game shows everybody that his level is very high. He has had a great year and it is very nice.”

Valdés does not appear to have any qualms about being De Gea’s deputy. “I am here to help everybody,” he said. “Always in my career, I have played to help my team-mates, to help my coach and to help everybody. I am a part of the team and I am not a problem, I am just a part of the team.”

On being reunited with Van Gaal, Valdés said: “I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex.

“From my short time here I can already see this is a very special club. I worked with Louis van Gaal during my time at FC Barcelona and to have the opportunity to work with him here at Manchester United is a dream come true.”