Young Signs for United

Manchester United have announced the signing of England international Ashley Young from Aston Villa.

United have long been expected to tie up a deal for Young, who had expressed a desire to play Champions League football, and the 25-year-old was seen undergoing a medical in Manchester on Wednesday.

He is now able to complete the move after the clubs agreed a fee reported to be between £16 million and £20 million.

A statement on Manchester United's official website read: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aston Villa for the transfer of Ashley Young.

"The player passed a medical in Manchester this week and has agreed a five-year contract."

Young added on MUTV: "The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down. It's a chance to hopefully become part of their history by helping to win the 20th title.

"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child: to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I've got that opportunity now so I've just got to take it with two hands."

New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish was already resigned to losing Young as his contract was set to expire next summer, and he has passed on his best wishes to the player.

"Ashley has made a terrific contribution for Villa in the last four-and-a-half seasons and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future," McLeish said. "He has become an important player in the England team during that time and I am sure he will be looking forward to this new challenge."

Young signed for Villa from Watford in January 2007 for an eventual fee of £10 million and scored 38 goals in 190 appearances. Watford are apparently due to receive 15% of the sell-on fee Villa have received as part of the original agreement.