Edinson Cavani signs new Man Utd contract worth £250k a week after Solskjaer begs striker to stay another season

EDINSON CAVANI has signed a new, £250,000-a-week contract to extend his stay at Manchester United.

The Uruguayan striker, 34, signed a one-year deal worth £200,000 a week after arriving as a free agent last summer.

Ever since, speculation has been rife that Cavani could head to South America, with Boca Juniors strongly linked with the ex-Paris Saint-Germain superstar.

But on Monday, Man Utd confirmed Cavani had signed a one year extension – just days after SunSport exclusively revealed he was in line for a £2.5million-a-year pay boost.

It’s expected Cavani will pocket £250,000 per week, although United are yet to confirm.

On signing the new deal, the striker said: “Over the season, I have developed a great affection for the club and everything that it represents.

“I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes here.

“They give me extra motivation every day and I know that, together, we can achieve special things.

“From the very first moment that I arrived, I felt the confidence of the manager.

“As a player, this belief gives you the perfect opportunity to play your best football and I want to thank him for that.

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Edinson Cavani was delighted to extend his stay[/caption]

“I have been touched with how much the supporters have wanted me to stay, and I will give everything to bring them happiness and joy with my performances on the field.

“I’ve not yet been able to play in front of the Old Trafford crowd and that is something that I cannot wait to do.”

Solskjaer added: “I said when Edinson signed, that he would bring energy, power and leadership to this group and I haven’t been proved wrong, he has been everything I thought he would be and more.

“As coaches, we knew about his goalscoring record. However, it is his personality that has brought so much to this squad.

“He has a winning mentality and has an unequivocal attitude to everything he does.

“Edinson is one of the last to leave the training ground and sets the tone for the upcoming youngsters with his approach to his profession every single day.

“I have always wanted him to stay and experience the way our fans will respond to him as a player, and this means he will hopefully get that opportunity.”

Cavani has been in sensationally strong form in recent weeks, scoring five goals in his last three games – and eight in his last seven – including four strikes in the Europa League semi-final win over Roma.

His influence on youngster Mason Greenwood has also been plain to see, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thrilled with their partnership.

Greenwood recently praised Cavani, telling MUTV: “You know what he’s going to do but you can’t seem to stop him.

“He’s still scoring goals, it was exactly the same against Roma.

“It’s nice to watch there on the bench, to watch his movement when he scores.

“It’s his movement, everyone knows he can do it but they can’t stop it.

“I’m sure we’re all learning off him, me, Rashy, all the attackers and all the young lads are looking up to him.

“It’s good to have him there.”

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