6 Things You Should Know About Bebe (United’s Newest Signing) – Updated

Can you name the mystery man shaking hands with United Chief Executive David Gill? Well neither could I until about 2 minutes ago! That’s because he’s apparently a somewhat (completely) unknown striker named Bebe, who also happens to be the newest signing of Manchester United. Here are the basic facts, as reported by a variety of news organizations… and also me:

1) Bebe’s real name is “Tiago Manuel Dias Correia”, and he was born on July 12, 1990. This means that if he makes the United squad, he won’t count against the 25 man roster limit.

2) Bebe was, according to Soccernet and Wikipedia, raised in an orphanage. He will therefore be the only player on the Manchester United roster to have competed in the Homeless World Cup.

3) United signed him away from Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes (for a fee believed to be around £7.4 million), who finished a respectable 6th in Portuguese Liga last season.

4) It was United’s old friend Carlos Queiroz who recommended the player, who was reportedly also being tracked by Real Madrid.

5) He was not, in any way, involved in the 1992 cinematic masterpiece “Bebe’s Kids“.

6) I know very, very little about him. Neither, it seems, does anyone else. Thoughts? Comments? Like the move? Hate it? Still wishing that it had been the name “Ozil” who had agreed to personal terms with Manchester United?

UPDATE: The official website has a post where David Gill discusses the signing of Bebe. Here are the three most notable points:

On the lengthy transfer pursuit: “He’s a player we’ve been following, but he really came on the scene in the last week or so… We looked at him, spoke to a number of people about him and then went out and secured the deal yesterday.”

On his role this season: “He’ll join up and be part of the first team squad this season… I think he’ll probably stay this year. (He is) a boy who has to learn English and integrate into Manchester United, and he’s really come from nowhere in a lot of respects.”

On why United elected to sign a completely unknown player for £7.4 million: Silence…

Some Related Man United Posts:

Category: Manchester United