Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his deal to re-join Manchester United, 12 years after he last played for the club.
The Portugal captain completed a medical and agreed personal terms on a two-year contract over the weekend, with United having agreed an initial fee of €15m with the Italian giants, a number that could rise to €23m with add-ons.
In a post on social media, Ronaldo wrote that “everyone who knows me, knows about my never-ending love for Manchester United. The years I spent in this club were [sic] absolutely amazing and the path we’ve made together is written in gold letters in the history of this great and amazing institution.
“I can’t even start to explain my feelings right now, as I see my return to Old Trafford announced worldwide. This is absolutely 100% the stuff that dreams are made of!
“My first domestic League, my first Cup, my first call to the Portuguese National team, my first Champions League, my first Golden Boot and my first Ballon d’Or, they were all born from this special connection between me and the Red Devils. History has been written in the past and history will be written once again! You have my word!”
He ended with a message to Sir Alex Ferguson, the man he played under during his six years with United and who he formed a special bond with, writing “PS – Sir Alex, this one is for you…”
With his agent Jorge Mendes having held talks with Manchester City last Thursday, he is believed to have spoken with Ferguson and several of his former United teammates, something that helped persuade Ronaldo to return to United.
Current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who played alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford, said that “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.”
The Portuguese forward scored 118 goals in 292 appearances for the club before leaving to join Real Madrid for a then world record fee.
Now 36, whether it will bring United closer to their first league title since Ferguson left in 2013 is difficult to say, the quality of teams competing with the club at the top of the league likely to make this one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Top scorer in this summer’s delayed Euros and Serie A top scorer last season with 29 goals in 33 games, Ronaldo will nonetheless raise the standards and the confidence of the entire club, as well as being a great role model to everyone in the squad.
He could be available to face Newcastle at Old Trafford on September 11, United’s first game after the international break.
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Featured image by Sdo216 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0; no changes made.
