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United Confirm American Keeper's Arrival
Howard is unveiled
Manchester United have completed the signing of keeper Tim
Howard for £2.3million.
The American keeper has signed a four-year contract at Old
Trafford, much to the delight of United boss Alex Ferguson.
"We have wanted Tim Howard for a while," said Ferguson. "
Goalkeeping coach Tony Coton has followed him for some time
through his contacts in the US.
"Tim's emergence alongside America's number one goalkeepers
Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller tells you how highly regarded
he is in the States, and we are delighted to bring such a
promising young `keeper to the club."
Howard suffers from Tourette's Syndrome, a condition which
can cause verbal outbursts and involuntary twitching, but
he says it has never affected his game.
"Tourette's Syndrome is not a problem. It is part of my life,"
he said. "It doesn't affect me one way or another on or off
the field. It is unfortunate people are not as educated as
they should be but that's the way of the world.
"In the match it doesn't affect me. I need to keep the ball
out of the net and it will never affect me doing that job.
Maybe there are times off the ball but even then it is not
much of a problem.
"I am overjoyed to be signing for the best club in the world
and look forward to getting the business done and performing
to the best of my abilities on the field."
The transfer hit a snag earlier this month when United were
forced to appeal Howard's work permit application because
the 24-year-old was ruled ineligible.
For a non-EU foreigner to play in England, he must have played
in 75% of his country's national team games in the past two
years.
Howard has been capped nine times by the United States and
started all three matches in this summer's Confederations
Cup in France. He could make his United debut on July 22 against
Celtic in Portland, Oregon.
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