Stunning developments in the transfer market today as Manchester United have confirmed they have reached an agreement to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus.
United have agreed to pay £12.8m for the 36-year-old, with the deal subject to personal terms, a visa and a medical.
Ronaldo seemed destined to join rivals Manchester City, but calls from io Ferdinand and Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded the United legend return to Old Trafford where he spent six years and won three Premier League titles, one Champions League, two League Cups and one FA Cup – as well as the Fifa Club World Cup and Community Shield –
Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games in his first spell at Old Trafford before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009.
“Manchester United is delighted to confirm that the club has reached agreement with Juventus for the transfer of Cristiano Ronaldo, subject to agreement of personal terms, visa and medical.
Cristiano, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the European Championship for his native Portugal.
In his first spell for Manchester United, he scored 118 goals in 292 games.
Everyone at the club looks forward to welcoming Cristiano back to Manchester” said a United statement.
Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand said he had spoken to Ronaldo this week after reading reports linking him with a move to rivals Manchester City. He also said Ronaldo had spoken to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson before agreeing a return to Old Trafford.
“Sir Alex played a massive part,” Ferdinand said. “There was no way Cristiano was coming to Manchester United
without speaking to Sir Alex. Simple as that.
“The attention on the club, the attention on the other players – you can’t put into words what it’s going to do for the dressing room and the fan base,” Ferdinand added.
“He’ll get you 25-30 goals this season. That’s what he does – he outscored Romelu Lukaku last year in Serie A, but what he can do for Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho alone is worth bringing.
“He will show them what an A-lister, genuine superstar and an absolute obsessive professional lives and breathes on a daily basis.”
