Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Aalesunds FK to sign Danish international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard on a 3½ year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Personal terms have been agreed with the player, who passed a medical in Manchester. Anders will train with United during December, but will be ineligible to play until the transfer window opens in January 2011.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “Anders is one of the brightest young keepers in the game.  The challenge at Manchester United is always to look to the future and in Anders, we have signed a goalkeeper of great presence and even more promise.  Having the time to train with him before he is registered will be an important period for him – almost like a pre season to get him integrated with the other players.”

Anders Lindegaard said: “Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me.  The Club is such an institution in Denmark, it’s an honour to come here.  I’m looking forward to playing and training alongside some of the great players in football today.  I can’t wait to be part of this team and to make my contribution to keeping the team at the top of the game.”

“We’ve completed that deal,” said Sir Alex. “All the negotiations are over and he’ll join us in January.”

The boss added that the move for Lindegaard is very much about forward planning, for the scenario when United’s number one Edwin van der Sar, now 40, hangs up his gloves at the end of an illustrious career.

“We’ve got to prepare for the day when Edwin finally bows out,” said the boss. “I think that’s the main reason [we've signed Lindegaard now], to protect us for the future.”

Obligatory skill video:

Please note that the first two goals conceded in this video are Thomas Sorensen. Lindegaard than comes on as a sub for him.