Sergio Romero to Manchester United: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Free-agent goalkeeper Sergio Romero has joined Manchester United after departing Serie A side Sampdoria earlier in the summer.

The club announced the deal on Twitter:        

The Argentina No. 1 previously represented one of Louis van Gaal's former clubs—AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands—and brings a wealth of international experience with him. Van Gaal discussed the capture of his old associate, per Sky Sports (h/t Audioboom):     

Romero spent the 2013/14 campaign on loan at Monaco, and he had an impressive World Cup for his country in 2014.

Although his team fell at the final hurdle against Chile, he also featured six times for Argentina at the recent Copa America, per WhoScored.com.

Romero was linked to United at the end of last season's summer transfer window and was said to have turned down a move, per Nadia Carminati of Sky Sports.

However, the goalkeeper denied the claims to Il Secolo XIX (h/t Carminati): "I've had two or three possibilities but none of them were positively concluded. I've not asked more money to go to Benfica and I've read I would have refused United. But in your opinion, there is someone able to refuse one of the world's top clubs?"

Hassan Ammar/Associated Press

Romero is a solid goalkeeper, but considerable pressure will be on him—he's not played under the spotlight at club level. The challenges at AZ and Sampdoria are nothing compared to United, and this will truly be a test of the depth of his quality.

However, Romero's temperament is good, and he has played with some of the game's very best talents with Argentina. His six years with the national side will be a foundation for his potential success at club level, but he is rightfully not considered one of the elite stoppers plying their trade in Europe.