• Transfer news

Manchester United confirm Victor Valdes deal

Victor Valdes will act as number two to Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea © PA Photos

Enlarge

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on an 18-month contract.

Valdes, 32, has impressed manager Louis van Gaal enough in a 10-week spell training with United having moved to England in October, when the Dutchman gave him the chance to continue his rehabilitation from a cruciate ligament injury at the club's Carrington training ground.

He will provide cover as the number two goalkeeper behind David De Gea, who has been ever-present this season, even is his arrival may prompt speculation that Real Madrid will move for the 23-year-old.

#mufc is delighted to announce that Victor Valdes has signed an 18-month contract with an option for a further year. pic.twitter.com/zze20zt3E8

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 8, 2015

Valdes told United's official website: "It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United. 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."

Manager Van Gaal said: "I am delighted Victor has signed for the club. Victor is a very experienced goalkeeper and his record speaks for itself. I have said on many occasions that Manchester United will always be interested in the best players.

"Victor 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. He joins the club as the number two goalkeeper and is a great addition to the first team."

Valdes has not played first-team football for nine months since he was hurt in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Celta Vigo with an injury that forced him to miss the World Cup. He becomes Van Gaal's seventh signing, after Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao, and his first of the January transfer window.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd