Manchester United completes signing of Angel di Maria for British record fee of £59.7m

Angel di Maria has been confirmed as a Manchester United player in a £59.7m British record transfer fee to take the club’s spending to £130.7m in the summer transfer window.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United,” Di María said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.

“Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top – where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started.”

The 26-year-old completed a medical earlier on Tuesday, having flown into Manchester on Monday evening before being driven to the club’s Carrington training complex where he discussed personal terms and had a preliminary medical.

Van Gaal said: “Ángel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent.

“He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team.”

The deal, which overtakes the £50m paid to Liverpool by Chelsea for Fernando Torres in January 2011 as the highest ever paid by a British club, takes United’s summer spend to £130.7m, following the £27m paid previously for Luke Shaw, the £28m for Ander Herrera and £16m for Marcos Rojo.