Manchester United confirm £16million move for Sporting Lisbon centre back Marcos Rojo - with Nani going the other way on loan

• Louis van Gaal finally gets his man after a protracted transfer saga
• Sporting announce the two clubs have agreed a £16m fee
• Rojo has been speaking about the move to Manchester United as his 'dream'
• Nani moves back to his former club after seven years at Old Trafford
• United will pay the entirety of the winger's wages during the loan spell
• Rojo is United's third summer signing after Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera 

Manchester United have agreed a £16million fee with Sporting Lisbon for defender Marcos Rojo.

Rojo, who touched down in Manchester on Tuesday evening and said joining United ‘feels like a dream’, is set to sign a four-year contract after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.

Louis van Gaal made it a priority to sign a left-footed defender and stepped up his pursuit of Rojo, 24, following Saturday’s shock home defeat by Swansea.

 

MARCOS ROJO 

Born: March 20, 1990 (Age 24)

Nationality: Argentinian (24 caps, 1 goal)

Position: Centre back/left back 

Clubs: Estudiantes (2008-2011)

Spartak Moscow (2011-2012)

Sporting Lisbon (2012-2014)

Manchester United (2014-)

He played in the World Cup final

He is in a relationship with lingerie model Eugenia Lusardo with whom he has a daughter, Moreno

During the World Cup semi-final, his top speed was quicker than Arjen Robben's 

The deal was held up while United negotiated with Doyen Sports, the investment company that owned a percentage of Rojo’s economic rights, but on Tuesday night both clubs confirmed all parties have agreed terms.

He trained with Sporting on Tuesday but was not involved in the afternoon session as the Portuguese club and United finalised the move.

‘It feels like a dream to be a United player,’ said the Argentina international. ‘Leaving Sporting wasn’t easy but I am very proud of having the chance of working with Van Gaal.’

Rojo was so keen to force through his dream move to Manchester he upset the Sporting chairman Bruno de Carvalho, who said: 'There is no player bigger than the club. I would not give up the honour, the club's history, for the attitudes of anyone.

'I give a piece of advice: don't use the press, be professional.' 

Southampton also made an offer for Rojo earlier in the summer but once United's interest became apparent there was little chance of him moving to St Mary's. 

Nani, who joined United from Sporting for £17m in 2007, has returned to his old club on loan for the season as part of the deal.