Angel Di Maria joins Manchester United in a British transfer record

Manchester United have signed Argentina midfielder Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for a British record transfer fee of £59.7 million, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

The 26year old's move, on a five-year contract, shatters the previous British record fee of £50m paid by Chelsea to sign Spain striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool in 2011.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that Angel Di Maria has completed his transfer for a British record fee of £59.7 million. Angel joins on a five-year contract," said a club statement.

United manager Louis van Gaal added: "Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player. There is no doubting his immense natural talent.

"He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence," the Dutchman explained.

"His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team." Van Gaal added

Di Maria explained that it was Van Gaal's "vision" for the English giants that had persuaded him to move to Old Trafford, even though United, are not in this season's Champions League following their unexpectedly lowly seventh place in last term's Premier League.

 "I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United," Di Maria said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.

"Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top – where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started."

The Argentine winger is United's fourth signing of the summer after earlier acquisitions of Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Rojo.

Di Maria could make his debut at Burnley on Saturday as Van Gaal looks to revitalise a United team still without a win after the first two games of the new Premier League campaign.