Atlético Madrid Keeper David De Gea Finally Headed to Manchester United

After months of speculation, it appears that the 20-year-old Atlético Madrid keeper David De Gea is headed to Manchester United. 

According to a Daily Mirror article published on Manchester United’s official website, United has agreed in principle to a £16 million transfer fee which will bring the Spanish International to Old Trafford where he will replace the retiring Edwin Van der Sar.

While manager Sir Alex Ferguson missed out on the opportunity to sign his first choice replacement for the tenured Dutchman, FC Schalke’s Manuel Neuer, De Gea appears more than capable to take over as Fergie’s first choice keeper. 

Despite his youth, De Gea has accumulated a significant amount of top flight experience including recording several impressive saves in Atlético’s 2-1 victory over Fulham in the 2010 Europa League Final. 

As a result, De Gea earned a spot on the initial 30-man roster of the Spanish national side that would eventually emerge as winners of the 2010 World Cup.  Building on this momentum, De Gea has started 45 games for the Rojiblancos this season conceding 61 goals—or an impressive 1.35 goals per match. 

If not for the host of world class keepers on the Spanish national side including Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas, Liverpool’s Pepe Reina, and Barcelona’s Victor Vales, De Gea would undoubtedly have gained even more experience and international exposure by starting for Spain throughout the 2010 World Cup. 

Nevertheless, De Gea’s career seems to be following a similar trajectory as Casillas who began earning starts for the massively important Real Madrid squad at the ripe age of 19.  Essentially holding the number one shirt for the Castellanos throughout the past decade, Casillas’ consistency will undoubtedly motivate De Gea to establish a similar legacy at United.

At 6’4”, De Gea has both the size and wingspan to deny long range blasts, seeming tap-ins, and virtually anything else that his opponents can shell out. 

While De Gea may experience some growing pains as he adjusts to both the English Premier League (EPL) and English culture, his undeniable quality should allow him to establish himself as one of the EPL’s finest for many years to come.