Manchester United have announced they have completed the capture of Chelsea star Juan Mata for a club-record fee of £37.1 million.
The Spain international arrived at United's Aon Training Complex by helicopter on Saturday before passing a medical and signing a contract understood to run until summer 2018 and worth £150,000-a-week.
Mata will train with his new teammates in the coming days and is expected to make his debut against Cardiff City at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
The 25-year-old told the club's official website: "I am thrilled to be joining United. I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea but the time has come for a new challenge.
"United is the perfect place for me and I am excited at the chance I have to be part of the next phase in the club's history.
"Chelsea is a top club and I have many friends there but you cannot turn down the chance to join Manchester United.
"I look forward to helping the manager and the team be successful in the coming years."
The sum spent on Mata smashes United's previous record outlay - the £30.75 million they paid Tottenham Hotspur for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.
It represents a real coup for David Moyes following a summer of frustration in the market and a faltering defence of United's Premier League title in his first season at the club.
Exits from both the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup in the last month have heaped pressure on Moyes, who has also seen his side slip to seventh in the Premier League.
Moyes added: "Juan is one of the finest playmakers in the game today and it's a real pleasure to have secured his signature.
"He's been instrumental in Chelsea's recent success, with a notable 28 assists and 32 goals in his last two Premier League seasons.
"I have been impressed with the excitement he has shown to be part of the new Manchester United.
"I know our fans have admired Juan for some time now - he has always played well against us - and I know they will be delighted to see him in the red of United, starting on Tuesday."
Mata was Chelsea's player of the season in each of the past two years but had fallen out of favour since José Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge, making just 11 Premier League starts this term.
His departure has not gone down well with some Chelsea supporters, but the deal represents a hefty profit on a player they signed for £23.5 milion from Valencia in 2011.
"I and everyone at Chelsea have massive respect for Juan and his big talent, and when he told us of his wish to move on because he wanted to play more, we did not want to deny him this opportunity," Mourinho told Chelsea's official website.
"We want him to be successful in his career and as well as that, this transfer makes huge financial sense to us at Chelsea.
"We are pleased Juan will stay in England - even with a rival club. He is happy in this country and it is good the Premier League retains such a talented player.
"Juan moves with our full blessing and I can speak on behalf of everyone at the club in thanking him for his fantastic service, and wishing him well for his future."
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| New Manchester United signing Juan Mata poses with manager David Moyes Photo: @ManUtd |
The Spain international arrived at United's Aon Training Complex by helicopter on Saturday before passing a medical and signing a contract understood to run until summer 2018 and worth £150,000-a-week.
Mata will train with his new teammates in the coming days and is expected to make his debut against Cardiff City at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
The 25-year-old told the club's official website: "I am thrilled to be joining United. I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea but the time has come for a new challenge.
"United is the perfect place for me and I am excited at the chance I have to be part of the next phase in the club's history.
"Chelsea is a top club and I have many friends there but you cannot turn down the chance to join Manchester United.
"I look forward to helping the manager and the team be successful in the coming years."
The sum spent on Mata smashes United's previous record outlay - the £30.75 million they paid Tottenham Hotspur for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.
It represents a real coup for David Moyes following a summer of frustration in the market and a faltering defence of United's Premier League title in his first season at the club.
Exits from both the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup in the last month have heaped pressure on Moyes, who has also seen his side slip to seventh in the Premier League.
Moyes added: "Juan is one of the finest playmakers in the game today and it's a real pleasure to have secured his signature.
"He's been instrumental in Chelsea's recent success, with a notable 28 assists and 32 goals in his last two Premier League seasons.
"I have been impressed with the excitement he has shown to be part of the new Manchester United.
"I know our fans have admired Juan for some time now - he has always played well against us - and I know they will be delighted to see him in the red of United, starting on Tuesday."
 | |
| Juan Mata arrives at the Aon Training Complex before his medical Photo: @ManUtd |
Mata was Chelsea's player of the season in each of the past two years but had fallen out of favour since José Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge, making just 11 Premier League starts this term.
His departure has not gone down well with some Chelsea supporters, but the deal represents a hefty profit on a player they signed for £23.5 milion from Valencia in 2011.
"I and everyone at Chelsea have massive respect for Juan and his big talent, and when he told us of his wish to move on because he wanted to play more, we did not want to deny him this opportunity," Mourinho told Chelsea's official website.
"We want him to be successful in his career and as well as that, this transfer makes huge financial sense to us at Chelsea.
"We are pleased Juan will stay in England - even with a rival club. He is happy in this country and it is good the Premier League retains such a talented player.
"Juan moves with our full blessing and I can speak on behalf of everyone at the club in thanking him for his fantastic service, and wishing him well for his future."
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