Patrice Evra has joined Juventus from Manchester United for a fee that could rise to £1.5 million (Dh9.4m), the Serie A club has 

The 33-year-old France international has signed a two-year contract with the Italian champions after ending his eight-and-a-half year stint at Old Trafford.

Evra was closely linked with a move to Juve earlier this summer but ended up signing a one-year contract extension with United in May, with his previous deal poised to run out. 

However, the experienced full-back, who would have been competing for a starting berth at United next season against big-money summer signing Luke Shaw, has now decided to move on anyway.

The popular former Monaco and Nice defender bids farewell to the Red Devils after nine hugely successful seasons that saw him make 379 appearances and help United win five Premier League titles, three League Cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

He also deputised as United captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic, who Evra could meet in Serie A next season after the 
Serbian moved to Internazionale this summer.

Evra said: “After a great deal of thought I have decided the time is right for me to leave Manchester United. It is the biggest decision of my career as this club is, and will always remain, in my heart. 

“Joining and playing for Manchester United has been a privilege, a dream come true and my time here has been so memorable.

This club is steeped in history and I feel privileged to have become a part of that. I would like to thank everyone at the club – team-mates, coaches and in particular all the staff who made every single day in Carrington or at Old Trafford a special day.

“An immense thank you to Sir Alex Ferguson for making it all possible, for giving me the privilege to be a captain, to be inspired by the legend of Manchester United and to understand that nobody is bigger than the club. My passion for this club will live on and I know you guys will go on to enjoy more success in the coming seasons.”