Cristiano Ronaldo 'overwhelmed' as Manchester United complete signing on two-year deal

Portuguese forward returns to club 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Manchester United teammates celebrate with the Champions League trophy after defeating Chelsea in the final in 2008 in Moscow. They won in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. Ronaldo made his way back to Old Trafford after leaving Juventus. Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo is crowned the European Footballer of the Year in 2008, flanked by previous winners and former Manchester United players Denis Law (L) and Bobby Charlton. Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008 after Manchester United defeated Liga De Quito of Ecuador 1-0. Getty Images

Ronaldo savours the sweet taste of victory after Manchester United's 2008 Champions League win. Getty Images

Ronaldo soared above the Chelsea defence to net before Frank Lampard equalised shortly before half-time. Getty Images

Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final. Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the Premier League trophy with his Manchester United teammates in 2008. Getty Images

Ex-Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo compare skills during a training session in 2008. But will the Portuguese return to Old Trafford? Getty Images

Ronaldo holds off the challenge of Lionel Messi during the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2008. Getty Images

(L-R) Louis Saha, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo pose with the League Cup trophy after defeating Wigan Athletic in 2006. Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand congratulates goal scorer Cristiano Ronaldo during a Premier League match in 2005. Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo makes his debut for Manchester United in August 2003. Getty Images

A Manchester United fan wears the shirt of new signing Cristiano Ronaldo outside Old Trafford in 2003. Getty Images

Sir Alex Ferguson poses with new signings Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford in 2003. Getty Images

Manchester United have completed the signing of Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo on a two-year deal with the option of a third year, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Ronaldo, 36, makes a sensational return to the club he left 12 years ago having spent six seasons at Old Trafford. Juventus earlier confirmed on Tuesday they had agreed a €15 million ($17.7m) transfer fee with United with an additional €8m based on performance-related bonuses.

"Manchester United is delighted to confirm the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo on a two-year contract with the option to extend for a further year, subject to international clearance," the club said in a statement.

Ronaldo returns to United after three years with Juventus. He made it clear to the Italian club last week that he wanted to leave and had appeared poised to join United's local rivals Manchester City. However, after United entered the race for his signature - and following a conversation with former United manager Alex Ferguson - the five-time Ballon d'Or winner opted to re-sign for the Old Trafford club.

"Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday," Ronaldo said in the statement. "I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again. I'm looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”

During his first spell at United, between 2003 and 2009, Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games, winning three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and the 2008 Champions League - the same year he won the first of his five Ballon d'Ors.

Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record €94m and spent nine record-breaking years at the Bernabeu, scoring a club-leading 451 goals and winning two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, and four Champions League titles, including an unprecedented three in a row between 2016 and 2018.

Over three seasons at Juventus, whom he joined for €100m in 2018, Ronaldo scored 101 goals, becoming the first player in history to score 100 or more goals for three different clubs. He won two Serie A titles and last season's Coppa Italia.

In total, Ronaldo, who came through the Sporting Lisbon academy, has scored 674 goals in 895 club appearances - plus 229 assists.

“You run out of words to describe Cristiano," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said. "He is not only a marvellous player, but also a great human being. To have the desire and the ability to play at the top level for such a long period requires a very special person.

"I have no doubt that he will continue to impress us all and his experience will be so vital for the younger players in the squad. Ronaldo’s return demonstrates the unique appeal of this club and I am absolutely delighted he is coming home to where it all started.”