Manchester United transfer news: Victor Valdes becomes Louis van Gaal's first January signing

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Victor Valdes to commit his future to Old Trafford.

The club have confirmed the ex-Barcelona goalkeeper has signed an 18-month contract with the option of a further year.

"It is a real honour to sign for Manchester United," Valdes said via the club's official website.

"I would like to thank Louis van Gaal and the club for allowing me to do my rehabilitation and to train with the team at the Aon Training Complex. From my short time here I can already see this is a very special club."

Manager Louis van Gaal was quick to stress that the 32-year-old has arrived at the club as 'the number two goalkeeper', amid speculation suggesting Valdes' arrival could spark uncertainty over David de Gea's future.

"Victor is a very experienced goalkeeper and his record speaks for itself," van Gaal said. "I have said on many occasions that Manchester United will always be interested in the best players.

"Victor has remained very professional throughout his rehabilitation from injury and has been very impressive during his training sessions with the first team over the past weeks. He joins the club as the number two goalkeeper and is a great addition to the first team."

The Spain international has been training at the club's Carrington training facilities since October while recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in March playing for Barcelona.

Having ended his contract at the Camp Nou last summer, the Spaniard agreed terms to join Monaco on a free transfer but the Ligue 1 side backed out of the deal due to their concerns over the player's long-term fitness.

United manager Louis van Gaal, who handed Valdes his first-team debut at the Camp Nou alongside Xavi Hernandez, Carlos Puyol and Andres Iniesta, gave him the chance to complete his recovery with the Premier League giants before offering him a permanent move to Old Trafford.

Reports in Spain claimed on Wednesday morning (7 January) the club had already made a formal bid to the player to join the club for the next year and a half.

United initially confirmed the deal via their official Twitter account.

During his 12 seasons at Barcelona, Valdes won six La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns, two Copa del Reys, two European Super Cups and the Club World Cup twice. Now the 'keeper has expressed his delighted over his new challenge in the Premier League.