Romelu Lukaku completes £75million Manchester United move as he signs five-year-deal
MANCHESTER UNITED have completed the £75million signing of Romelu Lukaku from Everton.
The Red Devils landed the ex-Toffees striker on a five-year deal with the option for another year.
Lukaku, 24, completed his medical in Los Angeles, where United will kick off their pre-season tour.
Jose Mourinho had allowed the Belgian to leave Chelsea for Everton in the summer of 2014, but will now be reunited with him at Old Trafford.
And Mourinho said of his new signing: "Romelu is a natural fit for Manchester United. He is a big personality and a big player.
"It is only natural that he wants to develop his career at the biggest club. He will be a great addition to the group and I know they will make him very welcome.
"I am really looking forward to working with him again."
Lukaku scored 25 goals for the Toffees last season, finishing as runner-up to Harry Kane in the race for Golden Boot.
Romelu Lukaku factfile
- Romelu Lukaku was born on May 13 1993 in Atwerp, Belgium
- He began his youth career at Repel Boom before spells at KFC Wintam and Lierse
- Anderlecht was Lukaku's first club as a senior player in 2009
- After three years at the Belgian club, Lukaku was sold to Chelsea
- Lukaku struggled to break into Jose Mourinho's first team and was loaned to West Brom in 2012
- A loan spell at Everton followed before being sold for a club record
- Lukaku has scored 53 goals in 110 appearances for the Toffees
Lukaku said: "I would like to start by thanking Everton and the fans for the last four wonderful seasons, I have made some special friends and we have shared some amazing moments.
"However, when Manchester United and Jose Mourinho come knocking at the door it is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I could not turn down.
"You could see the fight, determination and the spirit in this team during the Europa League final and I want to become a part of that.
"I cannot wait to run out at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 fans but before that pre-season is where the hard work starts and I am looking forward to that first training session."
He becomes the most-expensive player sold internally in Premier League history, eclipsing the £50m Chelsea paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres.
Furthermore, the ex-West Brom loanee is now the fifth costliest of all-time.
He started his career at Anderlecht, where he became a regular at the age of 16.
His performances saw him earn a move to Chelsea, but he was soon loaned out to West Brom and Everton.
He eventually signed for the latter in a then club-record £28m deal, and became the highest goal scorer in Premier League history with 68.
Rooney returned to Everton as part of the deal.