Smalling deal confirmed

Manchester United have confirmed the capture of Fulham defender Chris Smalling. 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. It completes a meteoric rise for the England Under-21 star, who only two years ago was playing non-league football with Maidstone. 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. "Chris is an extremely talented young defender, who we have been monitoring for some months," said Ferguson. "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." "Joining Manchester United is an unbelievable opportunity for me," Smalling added. "The chance of coming to the biggest club in the world is something I just couldn't turn down. I am excited about working with Sir Alex and the fantastic players in his squad."

Source: PA