Villarreal defender Bailly signs for Manchester United

Central defender Eric Bailly joined Manchester United from Spanish side Villarreal on a four-year contract with the option to extend for a further two years, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

Bailly, who has 15 caps for Ivory Coast, made 47 appearances for Villarreal after joining in 2015.

The 22-year-old becomes the first signing for manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

"I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club," Bailly said.

"I am looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to starting this new chapter of my life."

Image: Villarreal's Eric Bailly celebrates after scoring against Dinamo Minsk during the Europa league Group E match at the Madrigal stadium in Villarreal, Spain, October 22, 2015.

Photograph: Heino Kalis/File Photo/Reuters