• Versatile defender has agreed four-year deal at Old Trafford • Torino’s Giampiero Ventura says Darmian has earned transfer

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

The Torino coach Giampiero Ventura has backed Matteo Darmian’s imminent move to Manchester United, saying the versatile defender deserves the “dream” transfer.

Darmian is set to become Louis van Gaal’s second signing of the summer, with United aiming to take the right-back on the tour of the US when it begins on Monday.

Darmian will join for £12.9m plus £2m of add-ons, and will sign a four-year contract with the option of a further season, and follows Memphis Depay, who signed earlier in the close season from PSV Eindhoven.

Asked about Darmian’s move, Ventura told Sky Italia: “We have worked together for some time. Because of his desire, humility and will to achieve things, it’s right to grant him the opportunity to realise a dream to play in the Champions League in a team that will fight to win it.

“The transfer of an important player like him can open the door for us to build a stronger side.”

Darmian, who will undergo a medical on Friday, is Italy’s first-choice right-back, and attracted the attention of top European clubs after another solid campaign featuring 32 Serie A appearances.

The club’s president, Urbano Cairo, said earlier in the week: “I told Darmian last year after the World Cup that if offers arrived for him I could not sell him then. We had already sold Immobile and Cerci and I could not afford to lose another excellent player.

“But I promised him we would review his situation this summer. Football is like this and it’s normal that an extraordinary man like Matteo wants to try and win the Champions League. Torino can’t win the Champions League.”