Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo with winger
Nani heading in the opposite direction on a season-
long loan.
The Argentina international will cost United just
under £16million and moves to Old Trafford on a
five-year deal.
"Manchester United is delighted to announce the
signing of defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting
Lisbon for a fee of 20million euros, with Nani
joining the Portuguese club on a season-long loan,"
said a club statement. "Marcos joins on a five-year
contract."
Rojo is equally comfortable at centre-back as he is
at left-back and played all 120 minutes of July's
World Cup final as Argentina lost to Germany after
extra-time in Rio de Janeiro.
The 24-year-old began his career in his homeland
with Estudiantes de la Plata and spent a single
season with Spartak Moscow before moving to
Sporting in 2012.
He also has 28 caps for his country and cannot wait
to play his part in Louis van Gaal's new era at
United.
"It is such an honour to say that I now play for
Manchester United," he said.
"The Premier League is the most exciting league in
the world and to have the chance to play in it for the
world's biggest club is a dream for me.
"I am young and am very keen to continue to learn
the game, so playing for such an experienced
technical coach as Louis van Gaal is a fantastic
opportunity for me.
"I have joined United to work hard with my team-
mates to win trophies and I know that the manager
shares that ambition."
Gifted
Rojo joins Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw as Van
Gaal's third high-profile signing since taking over
earlier in the summer and the Dutchman believes he
will be a useful addition as the former Bayern
Munich boss implements a new 3-5-2 formation at
Old Trafford this term.
"Marcos is a very gifted defender," he said. "He has
played at the highest level in world football and can
play either as a central defender or left back.
"He has ability, physical strength and a willingness
to learn that means he has a very bright future
ahead of him.
"He had a very strong World Cup and has been
playing in Europe for a couple of years now. He is a
very good addition to the team."
United lost centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and
Nemanja Vidic alongside left-back Patrice Evra this
summer and Rojo will add to a defensive unit which
was largely criticised following the defeat to
Swansea at the weekend.
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