Inter confirm Vidic deal

The Italian club had been widely touted as the likely destination for the Serbia centre-back since it was revealed last month that he would leave Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.

Inter confirmed on Wednesday that they had got their man, with club president Erick Thohir immediately hailing the signing as "crucial" for the team.

"Vidic is a great champion," he said on inter.it. "I am extremely satisfied with the completion of this agreement that will bring Nemanja to Milan.

"He is one of the strongest defenders in the world, for his characteristics, his international experience, his charisma as a leader will be crucial for the team and the growth of our younger players.

"He will add value to the club and will be another pillar for the construction of a great Inter.

"Finally, I want to thank Manchester United, Nemanja and his entourage for his availability and the professionalism shown during the negotiation process."

Vidic, who joined the Red Devils from Spartak Moscow in January 2006, confirmed last month that he would not remain in England after the summer.

''I want to challenge myself again and try to make the best of myself in the coming years," he said in a statement released by United.

"I'm not considering staying in England as the only club I ever wanted to play for here is Manchester United and I was lucky enough to be part of this club for so many years.

''I've got a few options to move on and I will choose the right one for me and for my family.''

Last season, Vidic skippered United to their historic 20th championship - his fifth and the last under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Nemanja Vidic was born in Titovo U?ice on 21 October 1981. A solid centre-back, he made his professional debut for Spartak Subotica in 2000/01, going on to make 27 appearances and score six goals in his debut season (still his personal best goals tally for a single campaign). After moving to Red Star Belgrade he racked up 67 appearances and 12 goals over three years. Then in 2004 he made the switch to Russia and Spartak Moscow, where he remained for a year and a half playing 39 times and scoring four goals. That was followed in 2005/06 by his big career move to Manchester United, where to date the Serb has made 204 Premier League appearances (his record of 35 in a single season coming in 2010/11) while netting 15 goals. Vidic has also turned out for the Red Devils 52 times in the Champions League scoring twice (including pre-qualifying rounds), made one appearance and scored one goal in the European Super Cup, played 12 games with three goals in the Europa League/UEFA Cup, and featured in two matches at the Club World Cup, scoring once. He has 56 caps and two goals at international level for Serbia-Montenegro and Serbia, having played three times at the 2010 World Cup.

Vidic's honours include a Serbian championship (2003/04), two Serbian Cups (2001/02, 2003/04), five Premier League titles (2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2012/13), three League Cups (2006, 2009, 2010), five Charity Shields (2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013), a Champions League (2007/08) and a Club World Cup (2008).