Lyon have completed the signing of the Brazilian right-back Rafael da Silva from Manchester United. The defender, who signed a four-year-deal with the Ligue 1 runners-up, was told he could leave Old Trafford this summer after being left out of the squad for the tour of the United States.

A statement on OL’s official website read: “Olympique Lyonnais informs of an agreement with Manchester United for the transfer of Brazilian international Rafael da Silva, who will sign in the coming days a four-year contract with OL, ie until June 30, 2019.”

The Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas announced on Monday that the 25-year-old was in the French city for the transfer. Aulas tweeted: “Rafael has arrived from Manchester, we are waiting for an agreement with MU about his transfer. He has the Brazilian good humour!”

Reports in France suggest Lyon will pay up to £2.5m for the three-times Premier League winner. Da Silva joined United along with his twin brother Fabío from Fluminense in 2008. He became a first-team regular under Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes but the managerLouis van Gaal often overlooked the defender, preferring Antonio Valencia in the full-back role.

Da Silva started only six Premier League games last season, the last of which came on 26 October against Chelsea His chances at Old Trafford diminished further when Van Gaal signed the right-back Matteo Darmian from Torino this summer.

Rafael tweeted: “I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those 8 years. Since I signed with the club I lived incredible moments, after all were 8 years wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs of the world.

“Thank you ManUtd FC. I also want to thank all employees who always treated me with great affection and gave me greater attention.

“Thank you United Kingdom, I learned a lot in this country, as a player, and no doubt as a human being...”

United responded with their tweet: “mufc wishes Rafael the best of luck with his new club as he prepares to join Olympique Lyonnais on a four-year deal.”