Valencia fits the bill for United

Ecuadorean international Antonio Valencia is savouring a "dream come true" after joining Manchester United FC from Wigan Athletic FC for an undisclosed fee, reported to be as much as €18m.

Sir Alex admiration
The 23-year-old winger becomes Sir Alex Ferguson's first signing of the summer after agreeing a four-year deal, arriving at Old Trafford days after Cristiano Ronaldo's switch to Real Madrid CF was finalised. "Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now having spent the last [three] years in the Premier League with Wigan," said Ferguson. "I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team."

Once in a lifetime
Valencia cut his holiday short in order to undergo a medical with United, and added: "I enjoyed my time at Wigan, but am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here. Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can't wait to get started. I hope the fans at Wigan can understand that I am an ambitious guy and a chance like this might never come again."

Villarreal signing
Capped 34 times by Ecuador, Valencia was on Villarreal CF's books for two and a half years but made just two appearances for the Yellow Submarine. He spent much of 2005/06 on loan at RC Recreativo de Huelva before an 18-month spell at Wigan on a similar deal. The Latics made the move permanent in January 2008.