Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said the club's January transfer business was finished with the signing of Serbian wonderkids Adem Ljajic and Zoran Tosic, so the surprise arrival today of 20-year-old Ritchie De Laet comes as a double shock.Ritchie De Laet (born 28 November 1988 in Antwerp) is a Belgian footballer currently playing for Premier League side Manchester United as a defender. He can play anywhere along the back four.
De Laet signed for Stoke City for an initial £100,000 fee, on 17 August 2007, from Belgian club Royal Antwerp, penning a three-year deal.
In July 2008, De Laet joined Bournemouth on trial, and played his first game in a friendly against Portsmouth, a 4–1 defeat. However, he later returned to Stoke City. In October 2008, he joined Wrexham on a one-month loan deal, making his debut in a 2–0 victory over Lewes in the Conference National. He made a total of three appearances during his time at the club before his loan spell was terminated in order for him to undergo a hernia operation.
On 8 January 2009, De Laet was signed by Manchester United on a three-year contract. The fee to be paid by Manchester United will depend on De Laet's performances for the club.
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