Shaw makes £27m move to United

Luke Shaw has become the most expensive teenage footballer in history after he completed his £27m move to Manchester United.

Shaw, 18, passed a medical at the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday before yesterday signing a four-year contract, with the option of another year.

Shaw established himself as one of the hottest prospects in world football after coming through Southampton’s fabled academy, attracting admiring glances from many, including boyhood club Chelsea. Despite not turning 19 until July 12, the left-back has already racked up 67 appearances for Saints and three England caps.

The defender now hopes his career can blossom at Old Trafford alongside the likes of Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata.

“I am thrilled and excited to be joining United,” Shaw said. “I have been at Southampton since I was eight years old and I’d like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me. I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that.”

The add-ons in the deal could take the figure beyond £30m (€37m).

That may seem excessive for such a young player, but United assistant manager Ryan Giggs is sure the club have bought one of the best prospects in English football.

“Luke is a very talented young left-back with great potential,” said Giggs, who will work under new manager Louis van Gaal next season.

“He has developed immensely at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player.”

Shaw made his England debut in the friendly against Denmark in March and usurped idol Ashley Cole in Roy Hodgson’s pecking order. The 18-year-old became the youngest English player to feature at the tournament when he started Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.

Shaw will be competing with Patrice Evra for the left-back role at Old Trafford after the France international signed a one-year contract extension last month.

Last season’s back-up Alexander Buttner looks set to move to Dinamo Moscow, joining Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in leaving as the club look to kick on after a miserable season. United limped to a seventh-place finish last term, in a season which saw David Moyes lose his job in charge with Netherlands coach Van Gaal coming in as his replacement. Van Gaal made his first United signing on Thursday when he purchased Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao.

Meanwhile Adam Lallana looks set to follow Luke Shaw out of Southampton, with a move to Liverpool understood to be imminent. Lallana is believed to be in Liverpool for a medical ahead of a move to the Reds, who earlier this month raided Southampton for forward Rickie Lambert.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have seen several offers rejected for the England international but now appear to have struck a deal with Saints. The move would end the midfielder’s 14-year association with Southampton, who he joined from Bournemouth in September 2000 aged 12. hat deal included a 25% sell-on clause, meaning the Cherries are set for a cash windfall from the reported £25m move.

Lallana will be Liverpool’s third signing this summer after Lambert and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Emre Can. Liverpool remain in a stalemate with Sevilla as they try to sign left-back Alberto Moreno, the sides “miles apart” in their valuations of the 21-year-old.