Winger Young seals Man Utd move

Winger Ashley Young has signed for Manchester United from Premier League rivals Aston Villa on a five-year deal.

England international Young, 25, passed his medical with the league champions on Thursday morning.

He had been at Villa for more than four years after joining from Watford but only had one year left on his contract.

Young, who is reported to have cost United about £17m, becomes the club’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Phil Jones.

Watford will get 15% of any figure above the Villa £9.65m transfer fee.

A new goalkeeper also remains on manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s shopping list to replace Edwin van der Sar, with Atletico Madrid’s David de Gea tipped to take the number one jersey.

Young began his professional career at Watford and made his first-team debut in 2003. He shone for the Hornets during the 2005/2006 season and helped the club achieve promotion after they beat Leeds in the play-off final.

In January 2007, Young signed for Villa in a deal worth £9.65m where he scored 38 goals in 190 appearances.

United and England team-mate Rio Ferdinand was one of the first to welcome the news.

“Welcoming Ashley Young to Manchester United – another top, hungry and young player joins the ranks,” he stated on his Twitter page.

More to follow.