Record signing for Man Utd

Van Nistelrooy is a huge signing - even for Man Utd

Manchester United have broken the British transfer record to sign PSV Eindhoven striker Ruud van Nistelrooy for £18.5m.

It is an honour for any player to play for Man Utd and I'm very happy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy

The fee, which makes the Dutch star the fifth most valuable player of all time, smashes United's previous transfer record of £12.6m, paid to Aston Villa for Dwight Yorke in 1998.

Speaking at a news conference in Eindhoven on Friday, Van Nistelrooy said the speed of the contract negotiations had impressed him.

"I'm glad I'm in a position to play for Manchester United," he said.

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"It is an honour for any player to play for them and I'm very happy.

"United made contact with me two weeks ago and on Thursday it was finished. It was very quick."

Van Nistelrooy, who top scored in the Dutch League last season with 31 goals, said he hoped he could cement a place in United's first team.

"At PSV I always play when I'm fit," he said. "But Manchester United play so many games maybe that's not possible.

"I shared a room with (Manchester United defender) Jaap Stam while I was with the Holland squad and he told me many things about the club, all of them positive.

"I hope I can give the fans many happy times ahead."

Deal subject to medical

United aim to complete the record deal next week when Van Nistelrooy visits Manchester for his medical.

United's assistant secretary Ken Ramsden said: "The two clubs have agreed terms and we have agreed terms with the player and he will now come over next week for a medical.

Britain's top transfers

£18.5m: Ruud van Nistelrooy, PSV-Man Utd

£15m: Alan Shearer, Blackburn-Newcastle

12.6m: Dwight Yorke, Aston Villa-Man Utd

£11m: Emile Heskey, Leicester-Liverpool

£10.75m: Jaap Stam, PSV-Man Utd

"Hopefully that will go well and there will then be a press conference some time next week to announce the completion of the transfer."

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, PSV spokesman Pedro Salazar said United had signed a proven star.

"We tried very hard to keep him," he said.

"We were in a very difficult position but when a big club came in we did not have the power financially to hold out. For a good talent, a good player it is a dream to go to Manchester United.

"We had Ronaldo, Gullit, Romario here but they all went one day. For every player it is a dream to play for Manchester United."

Van Nistelrooy's deal is thought to be worth £42,000 a week - around £8,000 a week less than United skipper Roy Keane.

It is the second time United have paid an eight-figure sum to PSV, after they bought Dutch defender Jaap Stam for a then club record of £10.75m in June 1998.