Manchester United sign Ander Hererra and Luke Shaw
Manchester United have confirmed the signings of English left back Luke Shaw and Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera for a combined fee of £56m.
17 year old full back Shaw joins the 20 time champions from Southampton for a speculated fee of £27m, which could rise to a massive £31m, making him the most expensive teenager of all time.
“I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that," he said upon signing a four year deal with the club.
Assistant Ryan Giggs, who was in charge of both the deals since Manchester United did not have a manager, said “Luke is a very talented young left back with great potential. He has developed immensely during his time at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player."
Shaw, who is a fully fledged England international, played 90 minutes against Costa Rica in the summer’s World Cup, making him the youngest player at the 2014 edition of the tournament, and is expected to have a key role in the Three Lion’s future, especially after Ashley Cole, now playing for Roma in Italy, announced his retirement from the English national team.
Giggs has been praised after signing a player with such potential, but Southampton director Les Reed has come in for some fierce criticism after selling last years backbones, which has seen Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert join Liverpool, young right back Calum Chambers join Arsenal, following in the footsteps of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott and long serving French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin want to join Spurs.
But Southampton have promised that all the money from the deals will be reinvested into the squad.
"Luke's transfer fee will be reinvested into the team as our new manager, Ronald Koeman, builds for the new season and for years to come,” said Les Reed. Southampton have already announced five signings, that include Italian Graziano Pellè signing from Dutch side Feyenoord and Shaw’s replacement, Ryan Bertrand, on a season long loan from Chelsea.
Shaw will undoubtedly have a big role to play at Old Trafford this season, and has shown he is more than capable with the ways of the Premier League at such a tender age.
United also confirmed the signing of 25 year old Spaniard Ander Hererra for a fee of £28.85 million from Basque club Athletic Bilbao.
“Signing for Manchester United is a dream come true, I have joined United to do all I can to help the team reach the club's objectives. Having arrived on Tuesday, I'm excited to now be living in Manchester and I can't wait for my first game in United's famous red shirt." Herrera penned a four year deal, just like Shaw.
Born in Bilbao, Herrera started his career at Zaragoza, before moving back to his hometown, and then spent the following three years with the club.
"I will never forget my time with Athletic Club," he said. "I'd like to thank the fans and staff for all their support and above all wish all my fantastic former team-mates all the best for the future."
The 6ft midfielder will be available for the clubs first pre-season game, the first under new boss Roberto Di Matteo, against Ukrainian side Vorska.
Assistant Ryan Giggs said "Ander is a fantastic young player, with great energy and creativity, we believe him to be one of the brightest young prospects in Spain and I am certain he will be a big hit with the United fans."
Hererra will likely be the ‘creative spark’ in Di Matteo’s side this season, alongside Michael Carrick or Marouane Fellaini, and provide the link between the midfield and United’s most expensive signing ever, Juan Mata.
Mata said he was very happy about having another Spaniard in the team.
“To have another Spanish player here is great for me, it will help me settle in even more. Ander is a fanstastic player and knows how to pass the ball, which hopefully I will be able to get into even better positions on the field to release the striker. I have played with Ander for many years in the Spanish teams and I cannot wait to play with him again.”
United are now reportedly close to signing Argentinian defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon, for a fee of £16m, which is also another Giggs deal and negotiations are already underway in Lisbon.
