TEVEZ TO JOIN UNITED NEXT WEEK

Carlos Tevez will become a Manchester United player next week after West Ham agreed a £2million settlement for the Argentina striker to leave the club.

Tevez had a medical at Old Trafford on Friday morning and the paperwork on his signing for United is expected to go through early next week.

A two-year loan deal is on the table that would cost United around £5million a year and a statement from Tevez's representative said: "Carlos is looking forward to being a Manchester United player and his ambition is close to being achieved.

"We would like to thank Manchester United for all their patience and support throughout."

After his medical in Manchester on Friday morning Tevez visited United's training ground to meet his prospective new team-mates and club officials.

United are looking at the same sort of loan package that saw Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano move to Liverpool last season.

That took some weeks before it was signed off by the Premier League but with that transfer having already been picked over by the lawyers, a similar deal for Tevez should go through much quicker but not in time for Sunday's Community Shield game against Chelsea at Wembley.

West Ham emphasised the settlement confirmed they had held the player's contract and registration.

The Hammers said in a statement: "The settlement ends the current litigation taking place between the respective parties and provides for a £2million fee to be paid to West Ham.

"The agreement confirms that West Ham do have a valid player's contract with Carlos Tevez and hold the registration of the player. This will be released once the agreed fee has been paid to the club."

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson was relieved the affair has finally been concluded.

He said: "I am obviously pleased that we have finally reached the end of this saga through agreement and common sense.

"All parties involved can now move on and truly focus on the new season.

"I wish Carlos Tevez well for the next stage of his playing career. He is a fine player and I am sure he will be successful wherever he plays football."

The Premier League said they were satisfied that West Ham had behaved in line with their undertakings when they terminated the third-part deals with Joorabchian in April.

That led to a High Court law suit from Joorabchian but did allow Tevez to play the last three games of the season in which he had a crucial role in their escape from relegation.

A statement from the league said: "The Premier League can confirm that its board has received and considered a proposal for the settlement of the dispute between Carlos Tevez and West Ham United.

"The decision of the board, having received leading counsel's opinion, is that the agreement reached is compliant with the rules of the Premier League and consistent with the undertakings given by West Ham United to the Premier League board at various times since April 27, 2007.

"This will lead to the cancellation of Tevez's registration, thereby releasing him to join another club in due course."

CARLOS TEVEZ FACTFILE

1984: Born February 5 in Buenos Aires.

2001: November - Makes first-team debut for Boca Juniors.

Wins two Argentinian titles, two Libertadores Cup titles and the World Club Championship with Boca in 2003.

2004: March - Makes senior debut for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

December - Joins Brazilian side Corinthians in an 18 million US dollars (£8.9million) deal, a record between South American clubs. The deal is financed by Media Sports Investments, a group of investors headed by Kia Joorabchian who also own a controlling stake in Corinthians.

2005: Helps Corinthians to the Brazilian title and named the competition's best player.

2006: June 16 - Scores as Argentina thrash Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 as the South Americans give a World Cup masterclass in their opening first-round match in Gelsenkirchen.

August 31 - Makes shock move to England, joining West Ham along with Corinthians club-mate and international team-mate Javier Mascherano.

September 4: Hammers deny they are contractually obliged to play Tevez and Mascherano in every game.

September 10: Draw 1-1 with Aston Villa, Tevez making his debut off the bench.

2007: March 2 - West Ham are charged by the Premier League for breaching their rules in relation to the signings of Tevez and Mascherano in August.

March 4: Tevez scores first goal for West Ham in 4-3 defeat to Tottenham.

April 27: West Ham are fined £5.5million but spared a points deduction after pleading guilty. The verdict also rules "the registration of Carlos Tevez can be terminated by the FA Premier League" but Tevez is later cleared to play on for the Hammers.

May 13: Tevez scores the winning goal in 1-0 defeat to Manchester United which ensures West Ham avoid relegation.

July 9: Sir Alex Ferguson confirms he expects a deal for Tevez to be completed when the Argentinian returns from Cope America duty, despite fears that the Premier League might delay the transfer.

July 24: FIFA recommend the Tevez case to be referred to Court of Arbitration for Sport after deciding not to become involved. However, Kia Joorabchian opts to issue High Court proceedings against West Ham.

August 3: West Ham have confirmed they have reached a £2million settlement with Carlos Tevez's representatives which will allow the Argentinian to leave the club. Tevez is expected to join Manchester United shortly.

Taken from =football365=