Victor Valdes to Middlesbrough: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Former Barcelona and Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes has agreed to a two-year deal with Middlesbrough, becoming the fifth summer signing of the newly promoted side.

The club announced the news via their official website, and head coach Aitor Karanka expressed his delight at adding the experienced stopper:

"

You can't imagine how delighted I am because it's not usual to bring players like him to recently promoted teams. 

I'm really pleased because he is really committed. All the the conversations we've had he knows why he is here and he is coming to add to what we have. 

He knows how strong this group is. It's a privilege for us to be able to bring a player like this to the club.

"

Valdes spent the last 18 months on the books with United but barely featured for the Red Devils. He moved to Belgian side Standard Liege on loan in January, but the temporary switch was cut short in April.

The 34-year-old was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his time with Barcelona, where he won six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies. He suffered a serious knee injury in 2014, however, and left the club the following summer transfer window.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

He rehabilitated his knee at Old Trafford and later signed with the club, but his time with United quickly turned sour.

Per Colin Young of the Daily Mirror, former manager Louis van Gaal structured his training schedule in such a way to avoid contact with the first-team players, as the Spaniard was forced to work on his own or with youth coaches.

His move to Middlesbrough provided Bleacher Report UK with the perfect excuse to bring up this video:

His time with Standard was equally disappointing, although he did start the 2016 Belgian Cup final, beating Club Brugge.

At this stage of his career, it's fair to ask how much Valdes still has left in the tank, but as a free agent, he represents quite a coup for Boro. At the very least, he'll provide much-needed experience and leadership, and if he can work his way back to form, he could become the team's top option in goal before long.

Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, 37, more than held his own last year, but like Valdes, he's an ageing veteran, and those players tend to miss matches as they pick up knocks during the season. It never hurts to add a capable backup, especially on a free transfer.