France international Morgan Schneiderlin and German World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger have become Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s latest signings of the close season.

Midfielder Schneiderlin, who joined Southampton from French side Strasbourg in 2008, hassigned a four year contract with United.

The 25-year-old played for France at last year’s World Cup finals after being a pivotal figure in the Saints establishing themselves as a competitive side in the Premier League, said while he had loved his time at Southampton it had been an easy decision for him to make once he heard United were interested.

“I am delighted to be a Manchester United player. Once I learned that United were interested in signing me, it was a very easy decision to make,” said Schneiderlin, who was at one point linked with a move to Arsenal. “I have enjoyed seven very happy years with Southampton and it’s a club that will always be in my heart.

“But the chance to be part of this squad to help this great club be successful was too good to miss.”

He is United’s second headline signing of the day as German international captain Bastian Schweinsteiger completed his transfer earlier on a three year contract ending a glory-filled 17 year stay at German champions Bayern Munich. 

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The 30-year-old 2014 World Cup winning midfielder signed a three-year contract. According to both the German and UK media, United will pay Bayern around ?14m (19.47m euros, $21.72m) for Schweinsteiger, who has been a constant in the success of Bayern and the massive improvement of the German national side’s fortunes over the past decade.

The move reunited the combative midfielder – the first German to play for United – with club manager Louis van Gaal, under whom he played at Bayern from 2009 and 2011.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Bayern Munich, it has been an incredible journey and I didn’t take the decision to leave lightly,” said Schweinsteiger, who made over 500 apparances for Bayern since making his senior debut aged just 18.

“Manchester United is the only club that I would have left Munich for. I feel ready for this new and exciting challenge in what I regard as the most competitive league in the world and I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal again.

“I will never forget my time at Bayern Munich and I would like to thank everyone at the club and the fans for the great memories.” 

The arrivals of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin continue United’s bold buying spree in the close season following earlier deals for Dutch international Memphis Depay and Torino defender Matteo Darmian.