Who is Diogo Dalot? Manchester United complete £19.3m signing of Porto star
Jose Mourinho sees the teenage as a long-term successor to Antonio Valencia
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Manchester United have secured their first signing of the summer, with 19-year-old right back Diogo Dalot joining from Porto.
The teenager’s arrival is likely to kickstart a busy summer of comings and goings, with the club already reaching an agreement for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred and chasing Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Toby Alderweireld amongst others.
United are also closely monitoring long-term target Gareth Bale’s situation at Real Madrid, with the Welshman expected to push for a move away from the Champions League winners this summer.
Meanwhile the likes of Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw are all expected to leave, while Marouane Fellaini’s contract is set to expire and there is growing interest from other clubs in misfit forward Anthony Martial.
But for now at least, the club is focused on the new signature of Dalot, a highly-rated young full-back who Mourinho sees as a long-term successor to Antonio Valencia.
Here’s everything you need to know about the youngster.
Where does he play?
Dalot is a right-back by trade and gets forward often, bombing forward down the flank to join in attacks.
He’s also incredibly comfortable on the ball and is more than able to bring the ball out from the back.
Dalot is versatile, too. He can also be deployed on the opposite flank, while he has been used further forward in midfield at junior level.
When did he breakthrough at Porto?
Not long ago at all. He was a member of the Portugal Under-16 side who won the European Championship two years ago, and then graduated to the Under-17 side who won the corresponding competition 12 months ago.
He started the season playing for Porto’s B Team, only stepping up to the senior side in the second half of the season.
After winning promotion to the senior side he started six Liga NOS games, and completed all of the goalless draw at Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 second leg. Porto lost 5-0 on aggregate.
How much did he cost?
United agreed a €22m deal with Porto, which is around £19.3m.
What can United fans expect?
The short answer is a lot. But they will probably have to wait a while.
32-year-old Valencia is a favourite of Mourinho’s and has been a first-team regular at Old Trafford for several years now. He also enjoyed a fine 2017/18 season.
It’s unlikely Dalot would immediately replace Valencia in United’s starting XI, so expect to see him in the role Darmian has occupied this season, featuring in cup matches and deputising in Valencia’s absence.
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