Manchester United confirm £30million transfer of Eric Bailly from Spanish club Villarreal
Ivory Coast defender becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing as Old Trafford manager on a four-year-deal
MANCHESTER UNITED have completed the £30million signing of Eric Bailly.
Bailly has signed a four-year-deal to become Jose Mourinho’s first signing as United boss subject to a work permit being granted.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast defender made just 47 appearances for Villarreal but that was enough for Mourinho to be sure he could be a huge figure in his new-look squad at Old Trafford.
Bailly said: "It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United. To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do.
"I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club.
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"I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to starting this new chapter of my life."
Mourinho said: "Eric is a young central defender with great natural talent. He has progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around.
"We look forward to working with him to help nurture that raw talent and fulfil his potential. Eric is at the right club to continue his development."
Mourinho has decided the raw talent Bailly has shown is something he can mould during his time at Old Trafford.
The defender has limited experience of top flight football having only played five times for Espanyol before Villarreal snapped him up two years ago.
He was sent off in only his fifth appearance for the club and collected 14 bookings last season.
Bailly is expected to be the first of several new faces at united over the course of the summer as Mourinho looks to rebuild the playing staff at Old Trafford.
Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in line to join him in the north-west, though confirmation of that deal has been delayed so the striker can claim a loyalty bonus from Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea midfielder Nemandja Matic is another who has been interesting the United boss, amid suggestions he has told his club he wants to leave Stamford Bridge over the close season.