Manchester United have completed the signing of Fulham striker Louis Saha, for a figure of £12.8m.
United agreed a deal in principle with Fulham for the French striker on Sunday, but the transfer was not sewn up until today, when Sir Alex Ferguson returned with the United squad after a break in Dubai.
The 25-year-old passed a medical yesterday and agreed personal terms – but will not be eligible for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Northampton Town, having scored in Fulham’s third round comeback against Cheltenham Town earlier this month.
Saha, who has signed a five and a half year contract at Old Trafford, said: “I am absolutely delighted, it’s a dream come true. I would like to thank my family and all the people who have helped me through this, I am just happy everything turned out. To leave a great atmosphere like Fulham has been difficult, but I am glad to be joining one of the best clubs in the world.”
Ferguson added: “Louis is a young and exciting talent and has made incredible progress. We have got a young and gifted centre forward – his performances against Manchester United have showed us that. To have finally secured this deal is fantastic and a great boost to the club.”
The Manchester United manager confirmed that he is planning to pair his new signing with Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“We are going to work with them as a partnership and see how they respond to the challenge of playing with each other. The last really effective combination we had was the one between Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole that was so integral to winning the European Cup in 1999. Hopefully this one will be equally as successful. Louis has different types of qualities to Ruud and I think they will do well together.”
Saha, who threatened to go on strike had Fulham not sold him to United, has scored fifteen goals for Chris Coleman’s side this season. He leaves the west London club, with whom he won the Division One tittle and the Intertoto Cup, having scored 63 goals in 142 games since signing for £2.1m from Metz in May 2000.
