David de Gea performs backflip by signing four-year contract extension at Manchester United

DAVID de Gea, who came within minutes of joining Spanish giants Real Madrid last week, signed a new four-year contract on Friday with Manchester United.

(FILES) In a file picture taken on March 9, 2015 Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea looks on during the FA Cup quarter-final football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England. Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea has signed a new four year contract with Manchester United, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2019, less than two weeks after the Spain goalkeeper was on the verge of joining Real Madrid, the club announced on September 11, 2015. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

MANCHESTER United goalkeeper David de Gea, who came within minutes of joining Spanish giants Real Madrid last week, signed a new four-year contract on Friday with the English Premier League club.

The announcement caps a remarkable turn of events after the Spain international was on the verge of signing for Real, only for the transfer to collapse because of paperwork arriving past the permitted deadline.

United announced on its official Twitter account:

David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract at #mufc with an option to extend for a further year. pic.twitter.com/Z3JuQOaNEi

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2015

De Gea, 24, said: “I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career.

David de Gea is yet to feature in the EPL this season for Man United but should start against Liverpool.

“I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career.

“I’m looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my teammates to be successful.”

The news of an extension was understandably well received by United manager Louis van Gaal, who said: “I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract.

“He is one of the best goalkeepers in world football. I am very pleased that he will be part of the team for many years to come.

“David made a very important contribution to our performance last season and he has been the club’s Player of the Year for the past two seasons.”

Originally published as David de Gea performs backflip by signing four-year contract extension at Manchester United