TheSportsCampus

Spanish U-21 shot-stopper David De Gea completed his dream move from Atletico Madrid to Man United as the club unveiled their new signing earlier today. The Spaniard, who underwent a medical at United on Monday after returning from Spain's U-21 success at the European Championship, signed a five-year contract with United. The Red Devils have signed the 20 year-old for reportedly in the region of £18.9m, thus making him the 2nd most expensive goal-keeper in history, behind Gianluigi Buffon, who moved to Juventus for £32.6m back in 2001.

De Gea told MUTV, "I feel very proud and I can't wait to start playing here. When a club the size of Manchester United comes in for you it obviously makes you very, very happy. I saw their interest as an extra motivation to work even harder to show off my ability. It's a great privilege to be part of a club like United and I'm keen to do my best and show what I can do."

The Spaniard has big shoes to fill as he seeks to replace his idol Edwin van der Sar in goal. The Dutchman was a colossus for United in recent years and there were concerns regarding his replacement, especially after United's struggle to replace Peter Schmeichel a decade ago. But De Gea has all the right qualities to succeed at the highest level and so we at thesportscampus.com look back at his meteoric rise in stature and footballing development.

Touted as one of the most exciting young goalkeepers in world football, De Gea, established himself as a regular at Atletico Madrid in the season 2009-10, learning his trade at their youth academy and representing the club at all prior levels namely youth, reserve and B teams.

The Six foot four Goalkeeper signalled his natural ability between the sticks as he conceded a penalty kick on league debut saving the ensuing attempt in a 2-1 league win for Atletico over Real Zaragoza, just 3 days after making his debut, all of 19 years of age in the UEFA Champions League. He found himself given an extended run in the first team due to injury and blundering gaffes by first team goalkeepers Roberto and Asenjo respectively. Under new appointment Quique Sanchez Flores he finished the season as regular starter, earning 2 man of the match awards in the league and partaking in the club's triumph in the inaugural Europa League. Finishing with 10 clean sheets in 35 appearances overall further adding to the recognition he earned for past performances for Spain at the U-17 European Championships (winners) and World Cup (2nd place).

De Gea started 2010–11 in impressive fashion, helping Atlético win the curtain raiser for the European season- the UEFA Super Cup. He saved a 90th minute penalty from Diego Milito in the 2–0 win against Inter Milan, further establishing his credentials as a natural shot-stopper and all but securing his first team status for the upcoming campaign. Throughout last season he was courting interest from a host of big names in European Football and since the announcement of the close-season retirement of Dutch veteran Edwin Van Der Sar, has seen been persistently linked with assuming the role of the no.1 for Man United.

Sir Alex Ferguson, has reportedly had him watched in the past two seasons by his best scouts and assuredness, temperament, presence along with proven natural ability were the qualities which read high on his grade card, making him an ideal long-term replacement for the evergreen screen that was the great Dutchman. He was ever-present in goal for Atletico in the league last season holding 11 clean sheets (making 154 saves) with 14 overall in a season of mild disappointment for Atletico.

While on duty with the Spanish U-21s for the recently concluded European championships which they won, he admitted in an interview that United legends Peter Schmeichel and Van Der Sar were amongst his boyhood heroes and to have the kind of careers that they enjoyed, both for club and country, was the kind of dream he has harboured since becoming a professional footballer.

The United manager will be wary of the last time he faced the situation of replacing a top, experienced goalkeeper. Post Schmeichel's departure after the treble winning exploits of 1999, United's eleven sported a whole gamut of different names at the top of the pyramid, with clods, degenerates, disoriented drifters and inconsistent varieties all heading the team sheet. The dope-downing Bosnich, butterfingers Taibi, frustrating France no. 1 Fabien Barthez, Tim Howard and Roy Carroll all leaving a lot to be desired as United's defence often punctured to a leaky cauldron. With Van Der Sar's arrival the ship was stewarded as United revelled in record consistency at the back with the third wave of defensive walls also installed in front of the goalie in the form of Ferdinand-Vidic.

Billed to be Casillas' long-term replacement for Spain at the back, it is certain that De Gea has all the attributes and attitude to make himself a goalkeeper-extraordinaire, for many years to come, but his relative inexperience at the top and the rigours of the job at United might take some getting used to. It'll be worth the watch as to how Ferguson beds him into the club and nurtures the involvement of another potentially fantastic goalkeeper among their ranks - the Danish international Anders Lindegaard.

File Photograph Copyright: Jan S0L0