Wilfried Zaha has signed for Manchester United in a deal worth a staggering £15million.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed in a press
conference this morning that the 20-year-old was having a medical ahead
of the move. Zaha was later pictured at Manchester's Bridgewater
Hospital.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said:
'We are signing a player of potential. We always feel we develop players
well. We have proved that many times. We hope the boy enjoys coming
here, when he comes in the summer.'
Zaha said: 'I am delighted to be joining Manchester United and ending the recent speculation.
Welcome: Wilfried Zaha arrives at Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester on Friday morning for his medical
'I would like to thank the owners at
Palace for making the move possible, however my focus for the next five
months will be solely at Crystal Palace.
'I have been at Palace for more than 10
years, I will always love the club and I want to help get them get back
to the Premier League, particularly for the fans who have always been so
good to me.'
Zaha is staying at Selhurst Park on loan
until the end of the season and will join his new team-mates at United
for their pre-season tour in July.
He is signing a five-and-a-half year contract worth an initial £35,000-a-week with significant rises throughout the term.
Suits you: Our mock-up picture shows how Wilfried Zaha would look in a Manchester United shirt
On his way: Wilfried Zaha will link up with Manchester United in the summer
A United statement read: 'Manchester
United, Crystal Palace and Wilfried Zaha have reached an agreement for
the player to join Manchester United in July 2013.
'The player is having a medical in
Manchester today (Friday, January 25). There will be no further comment
by any party until Wilfried joins United in July 2013.'
Ferguson has told Zaha to ‘be true to
the supporters, team-mates, club and owners’ in his final four months in
a Palace shirt and to play his part in getting them promoted.
The winger’s first senior game for
United – if they win the Barclays Premier League or FA Cup – will be the
Community Shield at Wembley in August.
Done deal: Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted to land Zaha from Crystal Palace
At £15m, with £10m paid up front to Palace, Ferguson has told the England winger he will be a first team regular in August.
Palace are reluctant to sell Zaha, but
after 124 first team appearances for the Eagles they cannot stand in the
academy graduate’s way.
Although some supporters will be upset
by the decision, Palace cannot prevent a player of his quality joining a
team with United’s pedigree.
Palace’s four owners – Steve Parish, Stephen Browett, Martin Long and Jeremy Hosking – are all fans and are reluctant sellers
Lasting impression: Zaha was outstanding as Palace won at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup last season
Co-chairman Parish said: 'I feel this is
a great deal for the club and the player. We would like to thank Wilf
for all he has done for the club and we all wish him well when he joins
Manchester United in the summer.
'It was essential to Wilf and ourselves
that he stayed at Palace for the remainder of this season to help the
club with its main aim of promotion to the Premier League.'
Although they have always maintained
Zaha would remain at Palace until the end of the season, his rapid
development has increased the demand among top clubs for his signature.
Arsenal also wanted Zaha – despite Arsene Wenger’s denials this week – but United had the financial muscle to get the deal done.
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