Man United sign Danish goalkeeper Lindegaard

Manchester United on Saturday confirmed the signing of Danish international goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard from Aalesunds FK on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The 26-year-old, who arrives for an undisclosed fee, is expected to be groomed as the long-term successor to United’s 40-year-old former Dutch international goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Lindegaard agreed terms with the Premier League giants after passing a medical examination in Manchester.

He will train with the club in December but will not be eligible to make his debut until the January transfer window opens.

“Anders is one of the brightest young keepers in the game,” said United coach Sir Alex Ferguson.

“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.”

Lindegaard, who has four Denmark caps, will hope to follow in the footsteps of his compatriot Peter Schmeichel, who kept goal at Old Trafford from 1991 to 1999 and is regarded as the best goalkeeper in United’s history.

“Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me,” said Lindegaard.

“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.”