Jose Mourinho's first signing Eric Bailly: It's a dream come true to join Man United

Posted Thursday, June 09, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk

The ex-Villarreal defender has joined on a £75,000-a-week, four-year deal in a transfer worth £30m.

The 22-year-old becomes Jose Mourinho's first signing since he replaced Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

Bailly insists working under the Special One will help him grow as a player and he is relishing the chance to play at the 'highest level' in the Premier League.

Bailly said: "It is a dream come true to be joining Manchester United.

"To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do.

"I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club.

"I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to starting this new chapter of my life."

Jose Mourinho's first signing Eric Bailly: It's a dream come true to join Man United

Bailly made 47 appearances for Villarreal after joining them from Espanyol in January 2015 for around £4.5m.

The Ivory Coast ace has earned 15 caps for his country to date and was part of their winning Africa Cup of Nations team in 2015.

He admitted it was an honour to be Mourinho's first signing at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho's first signing Eric Bailly: It's a dream come true to join Man United

Bailly added: "It is really very special.

"First and foremost as a young player it’s a real confidence boost that a manager with so much experience of English football has trusted in me by making me his first signing.

"Again it’s all about that settling in period, hoping that I evolve and progress as a player as quickly as possible to get up to speed in the English league."