Football
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Man United's Eric Bailly delighted to join 'biggest club in the world'

Manchester United's new signing Eric Bailly has described the club as the biggest in the world and believes that the style of English football will suit him.

Bailly, 22, has joined from Villarreal, subject to a work permit, on a four-year contract with the option to extend for a further two years.

The Ivory Coast defender becomes the first signing made by new United manager Jose Mourinho.

Bailly told MUTV: "I'm really happy to be here at the biggest club in the world. It's a dream come true for me.

"I've always dreamt of playing in English football. When Manchester United was mentioned, I didn't have to think twice.

"As you know, it is a different style to Spanish football. It's more physical and maybe more direct as well.

"It's a style of football I've always liked. I've always thought it would suit my style of football as well.

"I hope that I can get used to it and start to enjoy it over the coming months, years and seasons to come after that."

Although Bailly did not make his debut in professional football until he was 20 years old and six months, in October 2014, he has made rapid progress since then.

He signed for Villarreal from Espanyol for only €5.7 million in January 2015 and his performances last season attracted the interest of leading clubs including Manchester City.

Bailly said: "It has been fast progress and development, but I still feel I'm young. I need to develop even more and I hope to progress now I'm at this massive club. I hope that involves winning trophies as well.

"I think it's very important that I settle in quickly. It's important to pick up the dynamic and the tempo of the football here, as soon as the season starts."

When asked about how it felt to be Mourinho's first signing at United, he said: "It is really special. It is a real confidence boost that a manager with so much experience of English football has trusted me by making me his first signing."

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