Manchester United complete signing of Brazil midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester United have signed Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk, the Premier League side have announced.
United confirmed an agreement had been reached between themselves and Shakhtar for the transfer of Fred, the Brazil midfielder, earlier this month, although the 25-year-old was only confirmed as a Red Devil on Thursday, June 21.
He becomes United's second signing of the summer, after teenager Diogo Dalot arrived from Porto, and he's penned a long-term contract.
The Old Trafford club are reported to have paid around £52m for Fred, who was not involved in Brazil's opening World Cup game - a 1-1 draw with Switzerland - as he recovers from an injury picked up in training prior to the start of the tournament.
Fred made 155 appearances for Shakhtar between his arrival from Internacional in summer 2013 and the end of last season.
He has previously been linked with signing for United's local rivals Manchester City, before Jose Mourinho sanctioned the purchase of the midfielder.
“Fred will complement our other midfielders' qualities, which we need; his creative brain and passing vision will give us another dimension to our game. I am very happy he is joining our club and I believe our players know how important he can be in our team,” Mourinho said.
The player, meanwhile, expressed his happiness the deal is now concluded.
"This is the biggest club in the world and I am delighted to be a part of this amazing team," he said. "To work with Jose Mourinho, who has won so many trophies in his time as a coach, is an opportunity not to be missed.
”I cannot wait to get started and to meet my new team-mates. I would like to thank everyone at Shakhtar Donetsk for everything they have done for me over the past five years.
This is a very exciting time for me with my focus now fully on the World Cup with Brazil.