United unveil €46.9m Ferdinand

Manchester United FC have completed the signing of English international defender Rio Ferdinand from Leeds United AFC for a British record fee of €46.9m.

Five-year deal
The two clubs settled on the fee during exhaustive talks on Sunday and Ferdinand, who subsequently agreed terms and passed a medical, was unveiled at a press conference this afternoon. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford and becomes the world's costliest defender.

'World-class defender'
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed his delight at the prospect of working with Ferdinand, saying: "I am really pleased Rio has agreed to come to Old Trafford, he is a world-class defender with the experience of having played at the very highest level of the game, for club and country. He is also a fine young man who will fit into the squad extremely well and I am sure he will prove to be a big hit with the fans."

'One of the biggest clubs'
Ferdinand was also in buoyant mood after putting pen to paper. "I'm delighted to be joining one of the biggest clubs in the world," he said. "I've come to a club which has got great players - I never thought in a million years I would be playing alongside Juan Sebastián Veron, Roy Keane and players like that."

Transfer request
The total fee could climb as high as €52m depending on appearances and United's success over the next few years. Leeds were always looking for a fee of around €45m for Ferdinand, signed from West Ham United FC in November 2000. The defender, who has served less than two years of a five-year contract at Elland Road, asked for a transfer last week.

'Fiercest rivals'
Sir Alex also revealed that it had taken patience and determination to bring Ferdinand to United. "A transfer like this one had to be difficult simply because Leeds are a big club and one of our fiercest rivals and there were three years left on his contract," he said. "But the most important thing was that Rio wanted to come here.

'Great potential'
"Things contributed to the deal but it was never going to be easy - and Peter Ridsdale [the chairman of Leeds] will bear that out. It was a long road to get here today. At 23 you know Rio has great potential and we're very confident he will mature here and develop into the best centre-half in the word."

United debut
Ferdinand, who is hopeful of making his United debut as soon as possible, will now join up with his new team-mates ahead of the forthcoming FA Premiership and UEFA Champions League campaigns. "I'm really looking forward to the new season," he said. "And I can't wait to run out in a United shirt at Old Trafford for my first home game, which I hope will be the UNICEF benefit match against [CA] Boca Juniors on 10 August."