Manchester United have completed the signing of Juan Mata for a club-record fee of Ł37.1m.
The Spain international flew north on Saturday and successfully came through a medical before finalising his move from Chelsea.
“I am thrilled to be joining United. I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea but the time has come for a new challenge.
“Chelsea is a top club and I have many friends there but you cannot turn down the chance to join Manchester United. I look forward to helping the manager and the team be successful in the coming years.”
Medical complete, deal done. @JuanMata10 is a Red! #mufcmata http://t.co/DmXTk5z44e pic.twitter.com/TjgzjPhWvl
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 25, 2014
Juan Mata looked lost under Mourinho
Mata was Chelsea’s player of the season in each of the past two years but had been reduced to a bit-part role under Jose Mourinho.
His departure has not gone down well with some Chelsea supporters, but the deal represents a hefty profit on a player they signed for ÂŁ23.5m from Valencia in 2011.
Mourinho, who has lined up Basel’s Mohamed Salah as a replacement, said on Friday:”It’s a good move for Juan, it’s a good move for the Premier League and the offer is the right offer. He was fantastic for Chelsea, and Chelsea were fantastic for him.
“If the fans are sad that Juan is leaving, I will say that we are also sad. No one is jumping around the place.”
