Source: Telegraph
Manchester United seal Chris Smalling deal
The 20 year-old completed his medical with the Old Trafford outfit on Thursday and will link up with the Red Devils from July 2010 on a four-year contract. [LNB]It completes a meteoric rise for the England Under-21 star, who only two years ago was playing non-league football with Maidstone. [LNB]Real Madrid sign Raul Albiol and step up Karim Benzema chaseReal Madrid follow up Cristiano Ronaldo swoop with £34m David Villa captureManchester City move closer to signing Arsenal forward Emmanuel AdebayorIt is likely to represent United's only significant business of the transfer window. [LNB]But after beating off competition for a player who has still made fewer than a dozen appearances for the Cottagers, Sir Alex Ferguson feels it represents a smart bit of business. [LNB]"Chris is an extremely talented young defender, who we have been monitoring for some months," said Ferguson. [LNB]"He is very quick and reads the game well. He will be a great asset to the club, playing alongside some of the best defenders around and we are delighted to have secured his signature." [LNB]The way the deal has been done will only fuel the belief that Nemanja Vidic will be leaving in the summer. [LNB]Ferguson is almost certain to refute such claims, although, with Johnny Evans already established as back-up to Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, something will have to give if Smalling is to make any meaningful contribution during his debut season. [LNB]That will not worry the Greenwich-born player though, who is eagerly looking forward to the challenge. [LNB]"Joining Manchester United is an unbelievable opportunity for me," he said. [LNB]"My time at Fulham has been great and I have learned a lot about the game from Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff. [LNB]"But the chance of coming to the biggest club in the world is something I just couldn't turn down. [LNB]"I am excited about working with Sir Alex and the fantastic players in his squad." [LNB]
