Cristiano Ronaldo has shared his delight at returning to Manchester United after the club confirmed the transfer had been completed on deadline day.
The Red Devils announced they had agreed a fee with Juventus for the Portugal international on Friday, though the deal was still subject to personal terms being agreed and a medical.
Ronaldo is believed to have taken a significant pay-cut on his Juventus salary, though will still become the highest paid player in England, while he passed a medical with flying colours over the weekend.
Early on Tuesday the Italian side confirmed that Ronaldo’s move had gone through, with United agreeing to pay £12.8m plus £6.8m in add-ons, payable over the course of the next five years.
Now United have also confirmed Ronaldo’s move, with the player returning to Old Trafford after 12 years away, and he is delighted to be back at the club.
‘Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday,’ said Ronaldo.
‘I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.
‘I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.’
The forward has signed a two-year contract with United, with the option for a third, and the club are yet to confirm what shirt number he will wear.
Speaking about Ronaldo’s return, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: ‘Of course the fans have been excited for the last couple of days, we all are of course. He has had such a great career and he has been here before.
‘He is going to give everybody a boost, of course. I played with him, he’s a great player, he is a top human being, he is a top professional, so he will give everybody in the squad and everybody around the club a buzz.’
He added: ‘He’s a more experienced player than when he was here last time. He’s evolved and had an unbelievable career. All the talk about how he’s too old… just make it personal and he’ll show what he can do.’
