Martin Dubravka ‘relishing’ battle with David de Gea as Man Utd confirm signing of Newcastle goalkeeper

Manchester United have signed Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on deadline day after agreeing a loan deal with a £5m option to buy.

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Erik ten Hag was keen to sign an experienced goalkeeper – one comfortable with the ball at this feet – to provide competition for David de Gea and submitted a bid to sign the Slovakia international last week.

‘To be joining Manchester United is a special moment in my career and I can’t wait to get started, and help the group achieve its ambitions,’ he told United’s website.

‘I am joining an excellent group of goalkeepers with lots of experience in the Premier League, and I know that we will push and support each other to keep our standards at the highest levels.

‘The chance to work with David De Gea, alongside Tom Heaton, is one that I am relishing.’

De Gea remains firmly established as United’s No.1 but his suitability to Ten Hag’s style has been questioned with doubts surfacing as a consequence of his errors in the calamitous 4-0 defeat at Brentford last month.

Dubravka had been battling it out for the No.1 position at St James’ Park and the summer arrival of Nick Pope has plunged him down Eddie Howe’s pecking order, with the 33-year-old finding himself on the bench for the Magpies’ first three games.

<p lang=«en» dir=«ltr» xml:lang=«en»>The United goalkeepers’ union: â1ï¸â£ Welcome to the club, @HecoDubravka! ð#MUFC

He was not included in the squad for Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win over Tranmere Rovers, with Howe opting to start Karl Darlow instead, and was again absent for their 1-1 draw with Wolves and 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.

Dubravka has played 130 times for Newcastle since he joined from Sparta Prague and was named the club’s Player of