Manchester United have signed Angolan striker Manucho Goncalves from Petro Atlético on a three-year deal after undergoing a successful trial at the Carrington Training Ground with the Red Devils.

24-year-old Manuel Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves - known simply as 'Manucho' - is the first-ever Angolan player to join Manchester United. He impressed United's assistant manager Carlos Queiroz while featuring for his country in the African Cup of Nations in January 2008 and was recently brought to England for trials.

Goncalves is currently the top goal-scorer in the Angolan domestic league with his club Petro Atlético and a key player for Angola, with Angola national Head Coach Oliveira Gonçalves backing the move to Old Trafford, saying that Manucho should now be playing in a more competitive championship in order to improve his skills.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in Friday's pre-match press conference that he been looking to bolster their strike-force in January as the Red Devils continue defending their Premiership title this year and to mount a serious challenge in the European Champions League.

Ferguson told his official club website: "We have had Manucho here for a 3-week trial and have been impressed enough to offer him a 3-year contract.

"He is a tall, agile, quick forward and through contacts that Carlos [Queiroz] brought to our attention around six months ago.”

Manucho has to obtain a work-permit before the deal can be finalised, but there are no foreseeable problems for the completion of the transfer.

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