Victor Valdes delighted as Manchester United unveil former Barcelona keeper

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has revealed his delight at signing a deal to join Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United.

The 32-year-old has signed an 18-month deal at the Premier League side and has the option of staying at Old Trafford for a further year.

Valdes, who has been training at the club since October in order to improve his fitness after sustaining a serious knee injury, said: ‘It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United.

‘I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex.

‘From my short time here I can already see this is a very special club.

‘The first day when I came here to the Aon Training Complex, I saw the big red letters of Manchester United.

‘For me, it is like a dream. I played for Barca for a lot of years and that is also a big club, I have loved the club all my life.

‘I think this is the same. It is a big club around the world with a lot of fans.

‘I worked with Louis van Gaal during my time at FC Barcelona and to have the opportunity to work with him here at Manchester United is a dream come true.

Valdes has lavished praise on De Gea by insisting his new team-mate is the ‘best goalkeeper in the world’.

He added: ‘His performance every day and in every game shows everybody that his level is very high. He has had a great year and it is very nice. Now I think he is the best goalkeeper in the world.’

Van Gaal, who handed a 20-year-old Valdes his Barcelona debut in 2002, has assured Manchester United fans that his latest signing has joined the club as an understudy to De Gea.

The signing of Valdes could bring an end to Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos’ Manchester United careers as the goalkeeping duo have been told they can leave the club.

United are now expected to focus their attention on tying Real Madrid target De Gea down to a new long-term contract as his current deal is due to expire in 2016.

VICTOR VALDES’ HONOURS

Barcelona

La Liga x 6

Copa del Rey x 2

Spanish Super Cup x 6

Champions League x 3

UEFA Super Cup x 2

FIFA Club World Cup x 2

Spain

2010 World Cup

Euro 2012