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Cristiano Ronaldo completes return to Manchester United


Manchester United has completed the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus on a two-year deal.

The signing sees the Portuguese forward return to the club where he won eight major trophies from 2003 to 2009.

United announced that it had agreed on a deal with Juventus to bring the 36-year-old back to Manchester last week.

Tuesday’s announcement confirmed the transfer after Ronaldo passed a medical, secured a visa and agreed to personal terms.

The transfer fee agreed upon was 15 million euros ($24.2 million), plus 8 million euros ($12.9 million) in performance-related add-ons.

“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday (Saturday AEST),” Ronaldo said in a statement.

“I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.”

Ronaldo is set to join up with the United squad after the international break.

He could make his first start on September 11 when Manchester United hosts Newcastle United if he returns unscathed from his international duties with Portugal.

Ronaldo (right) enjoyed domestic success with Juventus during his time with the club.(

Reuters: Stefano Rellandini

)

Ronaldo was signed by Juventus in 2018 for 100 million euros from Real Madrid in the hope he could help the Italian club secure its first Champions League title since 1996.

While that goal never came to fruition, Ronaldo leaves Turin with 101 goals, two league titles and a Coppa Italia triumph.

He informed Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri that he wanted to leave the club last week. The Serie A club confirmed his departure earlier on Tuesday.

Media reports in Italy and England said the forward’s agent, Jorge Mendes, had initially agreed to personal terms with Premier League champions Manchester City.

But in the end it was United who secured his services, instigating much excitement around the club.

“You run out of words to describe Cristiano. He is not only a marvellous player, but also a great human being,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.

United goalkeeper David de Gea said it would be a “dream” to have Ronaldo back at the club.

Former United captain Roy Keane said the 36-year-old was a “born winner”.

Ronaldo spent six seasons at Old Trafford during his first stint.

He won the Ballon d’Or as the world’s best player in 2008 alongside his team accolades, before sealing a then-world record 80 million pounds move to Real Madrid.

During his first spell in Manchester, he scored 118 goals and won the Premier League Golden Boot award in the 2007/08 season, the year Ronaldo helped United claim its most recent Champions League title.

Reuters



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