Cristiano Ronaldo‘s move to Manchester United from Juventus has been confirmed by both clubs on Monday morning.
United reportedly paid 15m euros (£12.85m) – and a possible 8m euros (£6.85m) in add-ons – for the 36-year-old.
The Portuguese forward signed a two-year deal with the Red Devils, with an option to extend it by a year.
“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart,” said the Portuguese superstar.
“I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday.”
Ronaldo, who scored 118 goals in 292 appearances in his first spell at United before leaving for Real Madrid in 2009, added: “I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again.
“I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “You run out of words to describe Cristiano. He is not only a marvellous player, but also a great human being.
“To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level for such a long period requires a very special person.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to impress us all and his experience will be so vital for the younger players in the squad.
“Ronaldo’s return demonstrates the unique appeal of this club and I am absolutely delighted he is coming home to where it all started.”
Cristiano, a five-time Ballon D’or winner, has so far won over 30 major trophies during his career, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England, Spain and Italy, and the UEFA European Championship for his native Portugal. Cristiano is the first player to win leagues in three different countries, he was also the highest goalscorer in last season’s Serie A and won the golden boot at this year’s European Championship.
In a statement on their website, Juventus said;
“On 10 July 2018, two icons of the European and football world came together – Cristiano Ronaldo became a Juventus player. Today, after three years together and 133 appearances, 101 goals scored and five trophies won, that chapter has come to an end…. The paths of CR7 and Juventus have gone their separate ways.
“On that day in July, when Cristiano arrived in Turin, the electric feeling of those great days could be felt through the air. The Juventus fans welcomed CR7 like a king, eager to see him on the pitch and cheer with him. It was a great story.
“His firsts left us impressed: the first outing at Villar Perosa, where tradition and the desire to write a wonderful future came together, the first official match in Verona against Chievo, and of course, his first goal, the first iconic “Siuuu” that echoed around the Allianz Stadium against Sassuolo. Then, there were the first trophies won together: the first Super Cup, obviously decided by him, the first Scudetto title, and this year, the first Italian Cup. But that’s not all, he also finished for the first time in Italy as the league’s top scorer. Then there were the broken records – lots of them.
“He was the first player in Juventus history to score at least 100 goals in all competitions in his first three seasons with Juventus, and since his arrival in Serie A, he has scored more goals than any other player: 81, at least 10 more than any other. Not only that, with the aforementioned title of top scorer, he also become the first to sit on the throne of the top goalscorers in Serie A, LaLiga and the Premier League.
“The unforgettable moments experienced together were many. We could recite them and relive them, but it would not help, because everyone has their own special memory linked to CR7. Everyone has a shared emotion that does not need to be dusted off, because everyone will always remember what they felt in walking this stretch of road together.
“Today that bond born on July 10, three years ago, has been dissolved, but what has been written will forever remain. It has been an incredible journey.
