LONDON: Manchester City have completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fernando from Porto while Manchester United have landed Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera.

Fernando, 26, began his career at Vila Nova in Brazil before moving to the Portuguese club in 2007 where he won four Primeira Liga titles, two cups and a Europa League medal.

Porto have described the deal, to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission, as worth £12m.

Fernando will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training in a fortnight, and said: “I am so happy to finally be joining Manchester City. I know there was talk of me possibly signing last January so I am delighted that the deal has now been done and that I am a City player.

“I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and helping City to defend the title. It is a very exciting time to be part of this football club and I cannot wait to play in the Premier League.

“City fans can be assured I will give my all every time I play and I’m looking forward to many happy years in Manchester.

“I have enjoyed my stay with Porto and I thank the club and the fans for their support during my time in Portugal. Now I am ready for a new chapter in my career.”

Bilbao accept

Athletic Bilbao rejected an initial United offer of around £28.85m for midfielder Herrera but accepted an increased return.

Herrera was the midfield fulcrum as Bilbao finished fourth last season and was believed to have a £28m buy-out clause in his contract, which rises to £32m after July 1. He scored five goals last season and has yet to break into the Spain team.

David Moyes reportedly targeted the 24-year-old last summer with bizarre scenes in Spain on deadline day when three men claiming to represent United tried to negotiate the deal at the offices of the Spanish federation.

New manager Louis Van Gaal revived the pursuit of Herrera as well as that of England left-back Luke Shaw who is valued at £34m by Southampton.

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