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Manchester United have completed the signing of Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a 3-year deal with the option to extend for a further year. The English giants have made the 28-year-old their 5th signing of the summer transfer window.
The 20-times English champions announced the deal in the wee hours of Sunday night. Romero is Argentina’s first choice goalkeeper and he was available on a free after his contract with Sampdoria expired.
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Romero expressed his delight at signing for the Red Devils. He was quoted as saying by MUTV, “I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester United. To play for the biggest club in the world is a dream come true for me.”
The custodian has played under Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal earlier, when both were at Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar and the Dutchman expressed his delight at snapping up the 6 foot 3 inches tall goalkeeper.
“Sergio is a very talented goalkeeper. He was a young keeper during my time at AZ Alkmaar and I am delighted he is joining Manchester United,” Van Gaal told MUTV.
Romero, on his part, called Louis van Gaal a “fantastic manager” and said he was eager to begin this new chapter in his life.
“Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career,” he expressed.
Van Gaal refuses to comment on De Gea’s future
Sergio Romero was an integral part of the Argentina side, which reached the finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where they were beaten by eventual champions Germany. He played in all the matches for the Alejandro Sabella-coached side.
“He had a fantastic World Cup last summer in Brazil, although that is something I have put to the back of my mind,” Van Gaal continued, “He will be a great addition to the team and I am looking forward to working with him once again.”
The former Sampdoria goalkeeper is expected to replace outgoing Spaniard Victor Valdes. However, speculation over David de Gea’s Manchester United future has failed to decrease and the manager refused to comment if De Gea, who is linked with a move to Real Madrid to replace Iker Casillas, will be leaving.
“I know him very well and I think in our situation, if De Gea is going or not going, it is always a threat and we have to take care, make sure that we are prepared and that is why I think it is very good that Sergio Romero is now a Manchester United player,” the Daily Mail reported Van Gaal as saying.
Sergio Romero made his debut with Racing Club in the Argentine Premier Division back in 2007 before he was brought to AZ Alkmaar by Van Gaal. He then had a 4-year spell with Sampdoria before signing for the English side.
It is expected that Romero will train at Carrington and not join the team in their American tour.
He becomes Manchester United’s 5th signing of the summer after Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian.
