Celtic's Miller set to join United
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -- Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Celtic midfielder Liam Miller.
The 22-year-old will move to Old Trafford on a long-term contract on July 1 after finalizing a pre-contract agreement.
"We recognized the potential of Liam. He has had a great season at Celtic. He is very much part of our progressive thinking of developing a young team over the next few years," said United manager Alex Ferguson.
Cork-born Miller has spent all his career at Celtic Park and although he has been a central figure in Martin O'Neill's plans this season he had not agreed an extension to his existing contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season.
Local media reports say Miller turned down $36,760 a week from the Scottish premier league leaders, which would have put him among the highest-paid players in Scotland.
"I'd rather he'd have stayed at Celtic and I felt he could have achieved more here," O'Neill told reporters on Friday.
"It would have been better for his future if he had stayed here for at least another 18 months and he was offered a very good contract here but his agent decided not to take it."
Miller said: "As a young boy I only ever supported two clubs, Glasgow Celtic and Manchester United. I am honored to have played for Celtic for six years and now I look forward to joining Manchester United."
• Celtic have signed Scottish midfielder Stephen Pearson from Motherwell on a four-and-a-half year contract.
The 21-year-old made his international debut against the Netherlands in a Euro 2004 playoff two months ago.
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