Nemanja Matic signs for Jose

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Nemanja Matic joins Manchester United on three-year deal (July 31 2017)

Manchester United have announced the signing of midfielder Nemanja Matic from Chelsea on a three-year contract, with an option for a further year.

The Serbian international, 28, now links up with former manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford after completing the move for a reported £40million fee.

Matic won two Premier League titles with the Blues but it had been clear he was heading towards the exit door after boss Antonio Conte brought Tiemoue Bakayoko to Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer.

Matic explained his decision to sign to MUTV.

"Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world (but) also my wish was to train with Jose," he said.

"Of course when you have a coach like him and a club like Manchester is you don't need to think a lot so my decision was very easy.

"I am very happy because we will work again together. He is a great coach and, when I worked with him before, he always took the best from me and I improve if I work with him.

"When the coach wants you to come to the club, it gives you more motivation, more possibility and I will try to...not try, I will, for sure, give my best to show that I deserve to be in this club and part of this group."

Following completion of the move, Mourinho said: "Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer - loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.

"I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31."

He has already set his sights on replicating the success he had at Stamford Bridge.

Matic added: "I think that this squad is ready because it is more mature. They already work with Jose for one year so they know what they have to do and I am sure that this season we can do many things.

"As a member of the team, I think we can do many things. I'm sure that we will try to win the Premier League. Also, the Champions League, you never know what can happen.

"In the Champions League, everything is possible. (There are) many good teams, the best teams in Europe, so Manchester is one of the best for sure and it's very difficult to make a plan before the season starts but we will try to win every game, if it is possible."

Mourinho underlined how important he believes Matic is for his vision.

"Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer - loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player," said the Red Devils boss.

"I would like to thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him. A big welcome to our new number 31."

The move ends Matic's second spell at Chelsea. He first joined the Blues in 2009 but left the following year. After making his name at Benfica, he was brought back to Stamford Bridge by Mourinho in a £21million deal in 2014.

As well as winning the title with Mourinho two years ago, he also won another Premier League crown last season.

Matic becomes United's third major signing of the summer after Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof.