Middlesbrough have confirmed the signing of former Manchester United and Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer, bringing the 34-year-old to the Riverside on a two-year deal on the club's return to the Premier League.
The club's official statement claims that they fought off 'stiff competition' to grab the three-times Champions League winner after he was released by United at the end of an unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford.
CONFIRMED | @1victorvaldes is officially a #Boro man - https://t.co/6QnQ2GzhGR #UTB pic.twitter.com/hWLPRCJ1Hw
Head coach Aitor Karanka said: "You can't imagine how delighted I am because it's not usual to bring players like him to recently promoted teams. I'm really pleased because he is really committed.
"All the conversations we've had he knows why he is here and he is coming to add to what we have. He knows how strong this group is. It's a privilege for us to be able to bring a player like this to the club."
The veteran becomes the club's fifth signing of a busy summer, following a £3.8m move for Danish winger Viktor Fischer, Bernardo Espinosa arriving from Sporting Gijon, €14m Dutch midfield enforcer Marten de Roon's transfer from Atalanta and young Scottish defender Jordan McGhee's loan switch from Hearts.
READ | It's fair to say that @1victorvaldes has had a pretty decent career! Take a look - https://t.co/74dluEBaWo pic.twitter.com/x9zJPYX3Ci
As the club returns to the top flight of English football for the first time since 2009, Boro boss Karanka is working hard to secure the club's position in the Premier League for the foreseeable future, with the Spanish shot stopper's wealth of experience set to add some true experience to the side.
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