Manchester United have announced the signing of Uruguay youngster Guillermo Varela.

The defender, who plays for the Uruguay Under-20's, spend the end of last season on trial last season and impressed enough to earn a contract.

The player will become David Moyes' first signing after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, though the former Everton boss only officially takes the reins at Old Trafford next month.

A statement on the club's official website read, "Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached an agreement to sign 20-year-old defender Guillermo Varela from Uruguayan club Club Atletico Penarol for an undisclosed fee.

"Guillermo will immediately join up with the Uruguay Under-20 squad for the upcoming FIFA Under 20 World Championships in Turkey."

Before the announcement was made, Varela told Futbol a lo Penarol radio: "I will have a medical on Friday and on Saturday I join the Uruguay Under-20s national team.

"I will have to learn English. Rodolfo Catino (Penarol's club treasurer) taught me something. The structure is impressive."