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United complete signing of Shaw

Luke Shaw has completed his move to Manchester United © Getty Images

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Manchester United have completed the signing of Luke Shaw from Southampton.

The 18-year-old had travelled up to Manchester to have a medical and agreed personal terms with United after the two clubs were in talks about a fee - starting at £27 million and potentially rising to £31m.

Shaw already declared himself a United player, meaning he has become Louis van Gaal's second signing in the space of 24 hours.

The left-back indicated that his move had been completed by changing his Twitter biography to: "Professional footballer at Manchester United Football Club". However, the biography has now been deleted.

On signing a four-year deal with the option to extend it by a further year, Shaw said: "I am thrilled and excited to be joining Manchester United. I have been at Southampton since I was eight years old and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me.

"I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and also looking forward to learning from the world-class players and management at the club."

Assistant manager Ryan Giggs said: "Luke is a very talented young left-back with great potential. He has developed immensely during his time at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player.

"I am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player and eventually fulfil that promise."

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Shaw's arrival follows the signing of Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera on Thursday as United, after a slow start to their summer transfer business, have become heavy spenders.

Both newcomers will rank among the five most expensive signings they have ever made, along with January recruit Juan Mata, Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand.

The completion of Shaw's transfer will end United's long search for a new left-back. Former manager David Moyes failed in attempts to sign Everton's Leighton Baines and Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao last summer.

Shaw was scouted by Moyes and, while new manager Van Gaal opted not to pursue some of the targets the Scot had identified, United continued to pursue the Southampton player.

Patrice Evra, who has been the first-choice left-back since 2006, has signed a one-year contract extension but Alexander Buttner, who was his deputy, left this week to join Dinamo Moscow.

Shaw's fee will make him Southampton's club-record sale and the second member of England's World Cup squad to leave St Mary's this summer after striker Rickie Lambert joined Liverpool.

Delighted to have signed for @ManUtd ! Looking forward to the future, thank you to all the fans for your nice messages — Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw3) June 27, 2014

Also a massive thank you to everyone at @SouthamptonFC including players , staff and fans. Loved every minute of my time there— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw3) June 27, 2014

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