Manchester United to sign Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa has spent two seasons at Borussia Dortmund (Getty Images)

Manchester United have made their first signing of the summer after confirming they have “reached agreement” to buy Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

Negotiations have been on-going with the Japan international for a number of weeks.

The deal is subject to a medical and work permit, although this is thought to be a formality.

It is not anticipated the deal will be completed until the end of the month as Kagawa is currently on international duty and played in Japan's 3-0 World Cup qualifying round victory over Oman at the weekend.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with both Borussia Dortmund and Shinji Kagawa for his transfer to the club," said a United statement.

"The deal is subject only to the player medical and obtaining a UK work permit. These conditions are anticipated to be completed by the end of June.

"Further details will be announced in due course."

Although the deal - which is expected to cost around £12million - has been anticipated for some time, it is good news for United.

Yesterday, Eden Hazard explained why he thought Chelsea had "a better project" than the Red Devils, who lost their Premier League crown to Manchester City in agonising fashion last month.

Many United fans are privately concerned about the funds being made available to Sir Alex Ferguson and felt strengthening the midfield area was an absolute imperative.

Kagawa has already done enough in his two seasons in Germany to avoid the fate of Park Ji-sung, who was initially condemned as a "trophy" signing following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven in 2005, designed purely to sell shirts in the lucrative Far East market.

He was named in the Bundesliga's team of the season for 2010-11 despite being absent through injury for half the campaign.

Kagawa then went on to score 16 goals last term, when Dortmund completed the domestic league and cup double.

Ferguson and assistant Mike Phelan made a personal check on the 23-year-old the day before United's final match at Sunderland, when they saw Kagawa grab one goal and create another in Dortmund's 5-2 German Cup triumph over Bayern Munich.

Defender Rio Ferdinand was quick to offer his best wishes on Twitter.

"Welcome to Shinji Kagawa for his transfer to Man Utd," he said. "Here's to a succesful (sic) time here bro!"

Kagawa factfile:

1989: Born March 17 in Kobe, Japan.

2006: Joins first professional team, Cerezo Osaka, aged 17 and is selected for Japan Under-17s.

2007: Represents Japan at the Fifa Under-20s World Cup in Canada after an impressive season in which he plays 35 games in J.League Division 2.

2008: Handed his Japan debut in a Kirin Cup match against Ivory Coast. Also represents his country in the Beijing Olympics.

2009: Breaks several records in the league, including becoming the highest goalscorer in J.League Division 2, as Osaka are promoted to the top flight.

2010: Scores seven goals in 11 appearances in the J.League, leading Borussia Dortmund to pay 350,000 (£283,371) for his services, but misses out on a place in Japan's World Cup squad.

2011: Helps Japan win the Asian Cup, although does not play in the final as a superb tournament is ended by a metatarsal injury in the semis. Ends the 2010/11 season with an eight-goal haul for Dortmund, who win their first Bundesliga title in nine years.

2012: Helps Dortmund to a domestic league and cup double.

June 5 - Manchester United announce they have reached agreement with Dortmund to sign Kagawa.

PA