Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Angel di Maria from European champions Real Madrid on a five-year contract for a British transfer record fee of £59.7m.

The fee eclipses the £50m paid by Chelsea for Spanish striker Fernando Torres and takes the total transfer spending of the Red Devils since January 2014 to £173m.

Speaking after completing the move, Di Maria said ”I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for.”

United manager Louis van Gaal on his part stated that there is no doubting the ”immense ability” of Di Maria, adding that ”he is an excellent addition to the team”.

Despite ending last season with the most assists in La Liga, the 26-year old Argentina international rejected a new contract offer by the Spanish giants and subsequently submitted a transfer request.

During his four-year spell at the Bernabéu, Di Maria helped the club to last season’s UEFA Champions League title, a La Liga title in 2012 and two Copa Del Rey titles.

He also featured in five matches for Argentina at the last FIFA World Cup in Brazil, missing the final loss to Germany due to injury.