Varane announces his farewell to RM, ‘I'll never forget La Decima’

Raphael Varane has effectively confirmed his £42million move to Manchester United with an emotional farewell message to Real Madrid.

The French defender spoke of a 'new chapter beginning' as he thanked the Spanish club for a trophy-laden decade.

Varane has still to complete a medical but this Instagram message will be taken as confirmation that his move to Old Trafford is on the brink of completion.

Varane wrote: 'These last few days have been charged with many emotions, feelings that I now want to share with all of you.

'After 10 incredible and wonderful years at Real Madrid, a club that I will always carry in my heart, the day has come to say goodbye.

'Since I arrived in 2011, together we have exceeded all expectations and achieved things that I could never have dreamed of.

'I would like to thank all the coaches and all the people who work or have worked at the club for everything they have done for me.

'Many thanks also to all the Madridistas who always gave me a lot of affection and with their great demand they pushed me to give my best and fight for every success.

'I have had the honor of sharing a dressing room with the best players in the world. Countless victories that I will never forget, especially 'La Décima'.

'I realize that it has been a great privilege to have been able to experience such special moments.

'Finally, I want to thank all Spaniards and especially to the city of Madrid, where my two children were born. This country will always be special to me.

'It has been an incredible journey in every way. I leave with the feeling of having given everything and I will not change a single thing in this story of ours.

'A new chapter begins...'

The World Cup winner has been a long-term transfer target for the Premier League giants and now they have finally got their man following discussions this summer.

The 28-year-old has joined Jadon Sancho at Old Trafford after the England international made the £73m switch from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month.

Varane's contract at Real was set to expire next summer, leaving Los Blancos to cash in on him now instead of losing him for nothing next year.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been looking for a centre back to line up alongside skipper Harry Maguire for some time.

Prior to the deal being completed, Solskjaer said: 'I know Sir Alex (Ferguson) was very, very close to signing him, so this time around we've got him at the other end of his career.

'He's proved over his whole career what a good person he is first of all, professional and he's won what there is to win.'

Sancho's arrival and the signing of Varane is a sign of intent from United that they are ready to breach the gap between them and rivals Man City, who won the Premier League by 12 points last season.

United finished second in England's top flight last term and also ended the campaign as Europa League runners-up to Villarreal - who defeated the Red Devils after a long-running penalty shootout in the Gdansk final.

Madrid have already seen Sergio Ramos exit for Paris Saint-Germain this summer and their clear out has continued with a man who has played for the club since 2011.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are looking to recover funds amid the coronavirus pandemic as they aim to build towards a Kylian Mbappe bid next summer.