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Football

Manchester United clinch Gabriel Obertan deal

8 Jul 2009


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 yesterday 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.

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Bravo sir Alex, obertan is fantastic, we have confidence in your wisdom. Keep on signing quality players especially Yaya Taure, Maicon and Aguero.

- Habu Kale Tijjani, Maiduguri, Nigeria, 08/07/2009 15:45
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