Man Utd complete Ronaldo deal
Man Utd announce Cristiano Ronaldo's £80m transfer is complete
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Wednesday, 01, Jul 2009 10:29
Manchester United have announced that the world-record transfer of midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid has been completed.
The Old Trafford side have received the full, unconditional £80 million transfer fee for the Portuguese international - making him the world's most expensive footballer.
Ronaldo, who was on holiday in Los Angeles when the initial deal was struck between the two clubs, has passed his medical and put pen to paper on a long-term contract at the Bernabeu.
"Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in a statement.
"His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over.
"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career."
Ronaldo joined United from Sporting Lisbon in a £12.7 million deal in 2003, representing a major profit for the club.
And Ferguson, who is expected to be able to keep the majority of the windfall to strengthen his squad, has already started to spend this summer - signing winger Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic for a fee in the region of £16 million.