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The club relegated from the Premier League has sold forward Alan Smith for £7.05 million (€10.5 million). The Leeds club will receive 6 million, the Premier League 0.3 million, and the player's agent 0.75 million. The player has signed a contract with the new club, valid until 2009.
Smith, 23, has played 211 matches for Leeds and scored 58 goals, while he has played 8 matches for the English national team and scored once. The player expressed his joy in moving to a powerful club: "I grew up in Leeds and spent some amazing years there, so I want to thank everyone associated with the club. I feel that now is the right time to move on and there couldn't be a better club than Manchester United. Joining one of the best clubs in the world is fantastic, and I am ready for the new challenges I will face."
The team's long-time coach Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I have never been so impressed with a young player, his desire to play for Manchester United is fantastic. Certain young people come with a special attitude, and after talking to him, I expected that from Alan Smith. That desire will take him forward."
