Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of teenage Chilean sensation Angelo Henriquez.
Signed from Universidad de Chile for an approximate fee of £4 million, Henriquez was handed the number 21 jersey and introduced himself to the United fans in an exclusive statement to ManUtd.com:
“I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. Manchester United is a great team and has a great manager.
“To be able to be part of that is a huge honour and I can’t wait to get started. I hope I can be part of many successful years with United.”\
Henriquez made 17 first team appearances, scoring 11 goals in the process and will look to continue his fine start to his senior career with the Red Devils, who will look to aid his development and mold him into the fine forward the potential he has shown thus far indicates he could become.
Unlocking that potential is a priority for Sir Alex Ferguson, who expressed his happiness at being able to welcome the club’s fifth signing and final signing of the season:
“Angelo has made a tremendous impact on the game in his short career so far. His pace is a great asset and he reads the game really well for someone of such a young age.
“We have a proud record of developing young talent and Angelo fits the profile of a United player – skilful, attacking and someone who plays the game with real flair.”
Sir Alex revealed just how much leg work went into bringing the teenager to United in the latest issue of the club’s magazine, Inside United, stating:
“We scouted him when he was 14 years old and just monitored him.
When he turned 18, we knew we could take him; it’s the first time we can sign them in this country, at 18, and so we were very fortunate the Chile Under-20s were over here.
“They were in tournaments at the Milk Cup [in Northern Ireland] and over in Holland.
“We watched all the games and everyone said: ‘You need to bring him in’.
“He’s very quick and a good finisher. He’s strong, with great shoulders on him for a boy of 18. So hopefully he’ll do fine.”
