Manchester United's new player and Bulgarian national football team captain Dimitar Berbatov. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
The 30.75 million pounds ($55.5 million) deal was finally landed on transfer deadline day, after several months of protracted arguments, bringing to an end a bitter episode of posturing between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
The Bulgarian star signed a four year contract, while United sends promising youngster Fraizer Campbell on a season-long loan to Spurs as part of the deal.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has long had his eyes on the silky smooth Berbatov who is revered in his native country. “Berbatov is a key addition to our team. Dimitar is one of the best, and most talented strikers in the world of football," Ferguson was quoted as saying on the official Manchester United Website. “His skills and style will bring a whole new dimension to our team and I’m convinced that he will become extremely popular among our fans.”
In a press conference yesterday in Bulgaria, the visibly tired Berbatov, told the press in tears that he has never been interested in the money.
"My only goal was to put on the red shirt of Manchester United. I am happy that everything ended in the best possible way and that my dream to play in such a classy team came true."
Berbatov who was greeted by the press with a round of applause continued: “I am happy and satisfied that everything ended. I hope to demonstrate what I have done during the last years. I thank to the people who participated in my transfer, and help me to get to this point. It was very difficult, and especially during the last years. I will always be thankful to the Tottenham team. They paved the road for me, they helped me, and allowed to me show what I was capable of.”
