United clinch Obertan deal - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

United clinch Obertan deal

Manchester United have continued their rebuilding for the new season with the signing of winger Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux.

The 20-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the Barclays Premier League champions.

Obertan, a Paris-born France Under-21 international who can fill several attacking roles, will have to wait for his first-team bow, however, as an unspecified minor injury will keep him out of United's forthcoming tour of the Far East.

Obertan underwent a medical on Tuesday and reports in France have claimed he will cost the Red Devils around £3million.

"Gabriel is a player we have tracked for a few years now, but because of his educational programme our efforts to get him here have always been delayed," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told www.manutd.com.

"We are delighted to get him now as he is an exciting prospect. We like to get young players and develop them, and we will see that in Gabriel over the next two years."

Bordeaux sent Obertan on loan to Lorient for the second half of last season where he made 15 appearances, scoring one goal.

"I am very happy to join Manchester United," the player added. "This is a big opportunity for me to play at such a great club. I am very excited to be here and I look forward to proving what I can do."

Obertan scored against England Under-21s in March and took the Most Valuable Player award at last month's Toulon International youth tournament.

He becomes Ferguson's third signing of the close season after Antonio Valencia and Michael Owen, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have led the departures in an already eventful summer at Old Trafford.

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?

Hazard warning

What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon