Athletic Bilbao have confirmed their 24-year-old midfielder Ander Herrera has joined Manchester United for £29m. The La Liga club had earlier rejected a bid from United, but the Spaniard agreed to pay his buyout clause to force a move to Old Trafford and become Louis van Gaal’s first signing at the club.
A Bilbao statement read: “The Football League has certified Athletic Club that player Ander Herrera Agüera has fulfilled the requirements of the applicable regulations valid for unilateral termination of the employment contract that bound him to our club, by depositing today the amount of compensation established in the contract.”
“The Athletic Club thanks Ander Herrera for his dedication during the three seasons he has enjoyed at the club and wishes him the best in his future sports projects.” The central midfielder underwent a medical at Carrington on Wednesday after which the deal was finalised. Herrera has been watched by United for more than three years, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin among the first to bring him to the club’s attention. Herrera, part of Spain’s Olympic squad at London 2012, was also a team-mate of United’s Juan Mata and David de Gea with Spain under-21s. Meanwhile, Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia and French left-back Patrice Evra have both signed contract extensions at United.