Cristiano Ronaldo officially seals transfer to Manchester United

It’s official — Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing in the English Premier League, clinching the transfer for an absolute steal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is officially a Red Devil. Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Red Devil once again after Manchester United confirmed it had completed the transfer for the footballing superstar on a two year deal.

In the same week that Lionel Messi made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain, Ronaldo’s news was officially revealed.

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Last week, the 36-year-old tried to push his former club Juventus to get the transfer done to go to Manchester City but his former club started a push of their own to swoop in.

And they landed him for a steal with a relatively small 15 million euro ($A24m) transfer fee for a player of Ronaldo’s calibre.

It could rise to 23 million euros ($A37m) depending on performance but pales in comparison to his world record fee when he left Man U for Real Madrid, which was a then 80 million pounds ($A150m).

His transfer fee to move from Real Madrid to Juventus three years ago was for 112 million euros ($A180m), a record for a player over 30.

Then again, the aging legend will hit the club’s hip pocket hard with the 36-year-old’s weekly wage expected to be 385,000 pounds per week ($A725,000) over the two-year deal.

It’s a bit of a pay cut as well with Ronaldo on a reported 500,000 pounds a week ($A940,000) with Juventus.

The Portuguese legend previously played for the Red Devils between 2003 and 2009, including winning the EPL three times before he left for the Spanish Giants.

The fans are happy. Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP

Manchester United was thrilled to welcome back the prodigal son, who debuted for the club as an 18-year-old.

“You run out of words to describe Cristiano,” Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. “He is not only a marvellous player, but also a great human being.

“To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level for such a long period requires a very special person. I have no doubt that he will continue to impress us all and his experience will be so vital for the younger players in the squad.

“Ronaldo’s return demonstrates the unique appeal of this club and I am absolutely delighted he is coming home to where it all started.”

Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and has won 30 major trophies, including five UEFA Champions League titles, four FIFA Club World Cups, seven league titles in England and a Euro Championship for Portugal.

Ronaldo had success last time with the Red Devils. Photo by Andrew YATES / AFP

Ronaldo was also eager to return to the club.

“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday. I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again. I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games during his first spell at United, winning his first Ballon d’Or and Champions League title, as well as three Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups.

Fans of Juventus were mourning the loss of the legend.

In a statement on the teams’ website, the club thank Ronaldo for the “unforgettable moments” the club and star shared.

“Today that bond born on July 10, three years ago, has been dissolved, but what has been written will forever remain,” he said. “It has been an incredible journey.”

Ronaldo is expected to line up for Man U against Newcastle United after the International break.

— with AFP