Sergio Romero joins Manchester United: Goalkeeper signs three-year deal to raise David De Gea exit fears

Romero joins United after leaving Sampdoria in the summer but raises the prospect of De Gea leaving to join Real Madrid

Sergio Romero has agreed to join Manchester United (Getty Images)

Manchester United have announced the signing of Argentina's World Cup goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a free transfer.

Romero left Italian side Sampdoria at the end of last season after running down his contract with the Serie A outfit. The 28-year-old has signed a three-year contract with United, and has the option of a further year should he wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

Romero was unveiled by United late on Sunday night via their official website, and he said that he was delighted to secure a move to the club in a “dream come true”.

“I am absolutely delighted to join Manchester United,” Romero told www.manutd.com. “To play for the biggest club in the world is a dream come true for me. Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career.”

New United goalkeeper Romero alongside Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

Romero began his career in his homeland with Racing Club back in 2006, before securing a move to Europe after he agreed to join Dutch side AZ Alkmaar a year later where he made 90 Eredivisie appearances.

In 2011, he joined Sampdoria after they had just been relegated to Serie B, but he helped them secure an immediate return to the Italian top flight through the play-offs.

However, his career hit a turbulent patch when he was shipped out on loan to French side Monaco, where he was forced to play second fiddle to Danijel Subasic and made just three Ligue 1 appearances before returning to Sampdoria. He remained an understudy on his move back to Italy, as former Arsenal loanee Emiliano Viviano has taken the first-team spot at Sampdoria in his absence.

Romero starred for Argentina at last year's World Cup (Getty Images)

Speaking after the deal was confirmed, United manager Louis van Gaal praised Romero’s abilities, and having worked with his during their time together at AZ Alkmaar, he remained impressed by the goalkeeper at last summer’s World Cup where he helped Argentina knock out Van Gaal’s Netherlands side in the semi-finals.

“Sergio is a very talented goalkeeper,” said Van Gaal. “He was a young keeper during my time at AZ Alkmaar and I am delighted he is joining Manchester United. He had a fantastic World Cup last summer in Brazil, although that is something I have put to the back of my mind! He will be a great addition to the team and I am looking forward to working with him once again.”

The move raises fresh fears over the future of current No 1 David De Gea, although Real Madrid’s interest easing over the last few weeks after United insisted they will not sell unless they get Sergio Ramos in return.

David De Gea in pre-season action for United (GETTY IMAGES)

The more likely option is that Romero will be a direct replacement for Victor Valdes, whose public falling out with Van Gaal earlier this month led to him being dropped from the squad that embarked on the pre-season tour of the United States and led to Van Gaal accusing him of refusing to play for the reserves last season. As a result of the dispute, Van Gaal has already declared that the former Barcelona goalkeeper is for sale this summer.