Manchester United have signed Southampton’s highly rated youngster Luke Shaw, the club has confirmed.

The 18-year-old becomes the second major signing of the summer for Manchester United, after a fee of 27m has agreed between both the clubs and the player completing his medical successfully.

Manchester made a bid of £27m for the 18-year-old back in May but the offer was rejected. However, it seems that a comprise has been struck while the deal could rise to £31m depending on the player’s success at the club.

The youngster, who is seen as a long-term replacement of Patrice Evra, has signed a four-year-contract at the club.

Shaw will provide the much needed competition at left-back, with Patrice Evra’s position having long gone unchallenged. The Frenchman has recently signed a contract extension at the club by 12 months and will play the mentor role for Shaw to make his transition as smooth as possible.

Shaw becomes the second major signing of Manchester United after the Red Devils signed Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao yesterday.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the option of a fifth year after United agreed to meet the €36 million release clause in his contract, a sum that was due to rise to €42 million (£33.7 million) on Tuesday.