This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Manchester United have completed the signing of the Swedish international defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica on a four-year deal.

The 22-year-old centre‑back arrived at Manchester United’s Aon Training Complex on Wednesday morning after the two clubs agreed a fee understood to be €35m (£31m).

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José Mourinho, the United manager, told the club’s official website: “Victor is a very talented young player, who has a great future ahead of him at United.

“Our season last year showed us that we need options and quality to add depth to the squad and Victor is the first to join us this summer. I know that our fantastic group of players will welcome him as one of us.”

Lindelof had arrived in Manchester fresh from international duty with Sweden, where he was an unused substitute in the teams’s 1-1 draw with Norway on Tuesday night.

He has been a long-time target for United as they look to bolster their defensive options for the club’s return to the Champions League next season.

He told United’s official website: “I am thrilled to be joining Manchester United. I have enjoyed my time at Benfica enormously and I have learned a lot there. But I’m looking forward to playing in the Premier League at Old Trafford and for José Mourinho.

“I’m keen to get started and make my contribution to the team’s efforts to win more trophies.”

Lindelof could be one of three or four high-profile acquisitions at Old Trafford this summer, with the club also believed to be keen on acquiring the Spain striker Álvaro Morata from Real Madrid.

The Real Madrid forward’s agent said this week that United had lodged a “very important offer” with the Spanish giants to try to bring him to the Europa League champions. PA