Manchester United confirm Victor Lindelof’s £31m signing from Benfica on a four-year contract
Swedish star completes move to Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho prepares to step-up chase for Alvaro Morata
VICTOR LINDELOF has become Manchester United's first signing of the summer in a £31million deal from Benfica.
The Swedish defender jetted into the north west on Monday to complete his move and sign a four-year contract with the club, with an option for a further year.
The Red Devils confirmed a week ago they had agreed a fee with the 22-year-old centre-half and on Wednesday announced the deal had finally been completed.
Upon completion of the deal, United boss Jose Mourinho said: "Victor is a very talented young player, who has a great future ahead of him at United.
"Our season last year showed us that we need options and quality to add depth to the squad and Victor is the first to join us this summer.
"I know that our fantastic group of players will welcome him as one of us.”
"But I’m looking forward to playing in the Premier League at Old Trafford and for Jose Mourinho.
"I’m keen to get started and make my contribution to the team’s efforts to win more trophies."
Lindelof, who will officially join on July 1 and will embark on the club's tour of the USA, arrives at the club after months of speculation surrounding his impending transfer to United.
The centre-half has appeared for his country twelve times and found the net on one of those occasions.
He leaves Benfica having helped the Portuguese giants win the Primeira Liga for the second successive season as well clinching the Taca de Portugal.
WHO IS VICTOR LINDELOF?
POSITION: Centre-back
DATE OF BIRTH: July 17, 1994 (Age 22)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Vasteras, Sweden
CLUB: Manchester United
PREVIOUS CLUBS: Vasteras SK, Benfica B, Benfica
INTERNATIONAL: Sweden (12 caps, 1 goal)
HONOURS:
Vasteras: Division 1 Norra 2010
Benfica: Primeira Liga 2014, 2016, 2017
Taca de Portugal: 2014, 2017
Taca de Liga: 2016
Supertaca Candido de Oliveira 2016
Having snapped up his first target of the summer, United will now press ahead in their attempts to secure the capture of Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.
Mourinho is desperate to bolster his squad in an attempt to turn them into title and Champions League contenders.
He guided the Red Devils to EFL Cup and Europa League success during his first campaign in charge but his men finished a disappointing sixth-place in the top-flight.
After shoring up their defence with Lindelof, Mourinho will be keen for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to add Morata to his ranks.
La Liga side Madrid are believed to be holding out for £80m for the striker.
Morata’s agent admitted early on in the saga that United were interested but he admitted it was down to Madrid to force him out.
Juanma Lopez said: “It’s an amazing club, a very interesting option.
“All I can is that it is a very interesting and now the decision lies with Real Madrid. We’ll see.”