Manchester United have confirmed that Nemanja Matic has joined the club, becoming their third signing of the summer.
The central midfielder joins from Chelsea on a three-year contract after a fee of around £40million was agreed with the Premier League champions.
The news was confirmed on Twitter.
Following his arrival Matic told Manchester United’s official website: ‘I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.’
Mourinho said: ‘Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.’
Matic’s arrival ends Jose Mourinho’s pursuit for a new central midfielder.
It was clear it was an area he wanted to strengthen with current holding midfielder Michael Carrick now aged 36. It was understood that Tottenham’s Eric Dier was Mourinho’s favoured choice but reaching an agreement with Spurs appeared impossible.
It will also be hoped a player of Matic’s quality will help to free up Paul Pogba so that the Frenchman can make more of an impact going forward.
Speaking yesterday Mourinho revealed that Manchester United beat off competition from Juventus due to Matic’s strong desire to move to Old Trafford.
‘I know that he wants that very, very much and when a player wants very, very much the chance is bigger,’ said the Portuguese coach who worked with Matic at Chelsea.
