SIR Alex Ferguson has hailed £30.75million man Dimitar Berbatov as a "key signing" in Manchester United's quest for a Premier League title hat-trick.

Berbatov finally completed a four-year deal to join from Tottenham just before the closure of the transfer window on Monday, bringing an end to one of the summer's major transfer sagas.

"This is a key signing," Ferguson told www.manutd.com. "Dimitar is one of the best and most exciting strikers in world football."

He added: "His style and ability will give the team a different dimension and I am sure he will be a popular player with the fans."

Berbatov was driven away from Old Trafford just before the announcement of his move was made public. But the Bulgarian was clearly happy as he was pictured inside the stadium and is looking forward to becoming a United legend.

"Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me," he said.

"I look forward to playing my part in helping this club win more honours in the years to come."

After a breathless afternoon, in which Berbatov spent time at United's Carrington training complex and Old Trafford, he was then taken to a south Manchester hospital for a medical.

With no problems reported, he returned to Old Trafford, where he was greeted warmly by Ferguson and chief executive David Gill to begin the long wait to see if a deal could be done that would eventually see Berbatov wear the number nine shirt vacated by Louis Saha, following the Frenchman's sale to Everton.

Forty minutes before the deadline expired, United submitted papers to the Premier League, hoping the registration would go through in time, with the deal, which will see Fraizer Campbell move in the other direction on a season-long loan, being confirmed at 12.40am.

© Press Association 2008