Manchester United Sign Atletico Madrid Goalkeeper David De Gea for £17 Million

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed the club have agreed terms to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea.

The 20-year-old Spaniard has long been tipped as a possible replacement for Edwin van der Sar, the veteran Dutch international set to make his final appearance for United in Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.

Ferguson said De Gea will arrive as Van der Sar's worthy successor this summer, with the fee of around £17 million a British transfer record for a goalkeeper.

"We've been working on it for quite a while," said Ferguson. "We identified him quite a while back as one we should go for. He's young, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar.

"We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. David de Gea is very similar that way."

De Gea is a product of Atletico's academy and has represented Spain at youth level. He is yet to make his full international debut however.

He becomes the second-most expensive goalkeeper in history behind Gianluigi Buffon, who cost Juventus an estimated £32.6 million in 2001.