Football: Manchester United complete Mkhitaryan deal

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom - Manchester United have signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund, the Premier League giants announced on Wednesday.

Mkhitaryan, 27, has penned a four-year deal with United with the option to extend the contract for a further year, the club announced in a statement.

"I am very proud to join Manchester United, this move is a dream come true for me," Mkhitaryan told United's website after joining for a fee worth a reported £26 million ($34 million, 30 million euros).

"I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time," the Armenia playmaker added.

"I am thankful for the trust the club and Jose Mourinho have put in me.

"Finally, I believe playing for such a great club honours my father's memory, and the inspiration and drive he gave to me when I was young." Mkhitaryan, whose father Hamlet was also a footballer, scored 41 goals in 140 appearances for Dortmund after joining them from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013.

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He is Armenia's most successful player and has scored a record 19 goals in 59 appearances for his country.

Mkhitaryan is United's third pre-season signing and follows both Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly and star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Old Trafford.

"Henrikh is a very talented footballer who has been in such prolific form for both his club and his country," said United manager Mourinho.

"He is a real team player with great skill, vision and also has a good eye for goal. I am delighted he has chosen to sign for United," the Portuguese added.

"I believe he will make an impact on the team very quickly as his style of play is suited to the Premier League. We are all looking forward to working with him." United finished fifth in the Premier League last season, 15 points behind shock champions Leicester City, and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

That prompted the club to sack Dutch manager Louis van Gaal and replace him with former Chelsea boss Mourinho.