David De Gea is an exceptionally talented and promising young Spanish goalkeeper.
Signed by Manchester United in summer 2011, De Gea, at just 20 years of age, is expected to be the Reds’ long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
A Spain Under-21 international (and European Championship winner), De Gea was born in Madrid in 1990 and is a product of Atletico Madrid’s youth academy.
Tall, athletic and confident with the ball at his feet, de Gea progressed through Atleti’s youth ranks quickly and spent his first professional season (2008/09) with the club’s reserves in
Segunda Division B. A first-team debut arrived early in the following season when he made his senior bow as a substitute against FC Porto in the Champions League.
He retained his spot, became a regular between the posts and his dream first campaign was capped with success in the Europa League as de Gea played a major role in delivering Atletico’s first major European trophy in almost 50 years.
De Gea’s reputation was enhanced in his second full season in La Liga and rumours of United’s interest, which had existed since January 2010, gathered pace in September when Reds goalkeeper coach Eric Steele
