Victor Valdes has agreed to join Standard Liege on loan from Manchester United until the end of 2015-16 season, subject to a medical.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper had been denied a squad number at Old Trafford this season or the opportunity to train with the first team, and appeared to say goodbye to United fans via Twitter earlier this week.
Bienvenido @1victorvaldes����#WelcomeVictor #RSCL pic.twitter.com/nJrBovWowu
– Standard de Liège (@Standard_RSCL) January 24, 2016
United and Standard both confirmed an agreement on Sunday morning, with a statement on United’s official website reading: “Manchester United and Standard Liege have reached agreement for the temporary transfer of goalkeeper Victor Valdes, effective until the end of the current season.
“The Spain international and former Barcelona shot-stopper signed for the Reds in January 2015 and has made two appearances for the club — making his debut as a substitute in the penultimate game of last season at home to Arsenal (1-1), and then starting the final match of 2014-15 away to Hull which ended in a goalless draw.”
The Belgian club’s official statement read: “Standard de Liege, Manchester United and Victor Valdes have reached an agreement: the Spanish goalkeeper is lent to our club until the end of this season (depending on the outcome of his medical tests).
“His arrival will be a great opportunity for our young goalkeepers to develop themselves. Victor will bring over his year-long experience and the youth will get advice of one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the next few months.
“We are very proud and happy that we can receive such a professional. We would like to give a warm welcome to Victor Valdes and we wish him all the best at our club.”
Manager Louis van Gaal omitted the Spain international from the United squad for their preseason tour of the United States while alleging he had refused to play for the club’s reserves.
Valdes joined United in January 2015 after training with them for two-and-a-half months as he sought to regain fitness following a cruciate ligament injury.
The loan in effect ends his career with the club as the 18-month deal he signed in 2015 expires in the summer.
Valdes enjoyed huge success at his first club Barcelona, winning six La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, two Copas del Rey and two FIFA Club World Cups. The keeper also lifted the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 with Spain.