United swoop for Ricardo

Manchester United FC have signed Spanish international goalkeeper Ricardo López from Real Valladolid for €2.3m.

Agreement reached
United announced that the player has signed a three-year contract to join existing first-choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who is currently suffering with a thigh injury, and Northern Ireland international Roy Carroll on the Old Trafford staff.

Too good to be true
For Ricardo, who had a year left to run on his Valladolid contract, the move is almost too good to be true. "It's a lifelong dream," he said.

World Cup call-up
The 30-year-old, who played previously for Club Atlético de Madrid, impressed last season as Valladolid claimed a mid-table berth in the Primera División. He earned a place in former Spain coach José Antonio Camacho's FIFA World Cup squad, but did not feature in the finals in Korea/Japan.

Barthez replacement
United want a long-term replacement for Barthez, whom they bought for €11m from AS Monaco FC in 2000.