MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United broke the British transfer-fee record by signing Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for 59. USA Soccer Shirts .7 million pounds on Tuesday, extending a summer spending spree that was sparked by its most disappointing season in a generation. The 26-year-old Di Maria joined on a five-year contract, taking Uniteds spending to about 130 million pounds ($215 million) in the summer transfer window as Englands most successful club seeks to revive its fortunes under new manager Louis van Gaal. Di Maria was one of Madrids key players last season when the Spanish team became European champion for a 10th time, but rejected the offer of a new contract during the off-season and asked to leave. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Spain and there were a lot of clubs interested in me, but United is the only club that I would have left Real Madrid for," Di Maria said. "Louis van Gaal is a fantastic coach with a proven track record of success and I am impressed by the vision and determination everyone has to get this club back to the top -- where it belongs. I now just cannot wait to get started." Di Marias transfer fee breaks the previous British record of 50 million pounds (then $81 million), set in 2011 when Fernando Torres joined Chelsea from Liverpool. Four players -- Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and James Rodriguez -- have cost more than Di Maria in world football, while Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Madrid for a similar fee in euro terms in 2001. "Angel is a world-class midfielder but most importantly he is a team player," Van Gaal said. "There is no doubting his immense natural talent. He is a tremendously fast and incisive left-footed player who puts fear into the most accomplished defence. "His dribbling skills and his ability to take on and beat opponents are a joy to watch. He is an excellent addition to the team." The left-footed Di Maria, who can play anywhere across the midfield, will provide United with an injection of pace and technical ability in that area. Both attributes were lacking last season under David Moyes, when the team slumped to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, and in the first two games of this season under Van Gaal. It is also a statement by United that the club can attract one of the worlds most talented players despite not being in the Champions League this season. United isnt even playing in the Europa League. Critics say Van Gaal hasnt addressed the teams biggest weakness -- a defence that lost three pillars in Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra this summer and has looked vulnerable in a 2-1 home loss to Swansea and a 1-1 draw at Sunderland in the two games so far in the Dutchmans reign. But it is the kind of marquee signing United fans have been craving. The prospect of Di Maria linking up with attacking trio Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata is an enticing one as the team bids to return to the leagues top four and get back in the Champions League. Di Maria was man of the match in last seasons Champions League final against Atletico Madrid and one of Argentinas best players at the World Cup in Brazil until he hurt his thigh in the quarterfinal win over Belgium, forcing him to miss the semifinal and final. He joined Real Madrid from Benfica in 2010, when he was an out-and-out winger. At Madrid last season, coach Carlo Ancelotti also played him as a central midfielder. Under contract until 2018 at Madrid, Di Maria faced increased competition in midfield following the signings of Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, and had been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Left back Luke Shaw, central midfielder Ander Herrera and defender Marcos Rojo are the other players to have moved to Old Trafford this summer in deals worth around 70 million pounds. Darlington Nagbe Jersey . The 34-year-old averaged 10.1 points and 2.7 rebounds in 82 games played in 2013-14 with the Utah Jazz. Jefferson has averaged 14.5 points, 4. Jackson Yueill Jersey . Yet now its time for the most important pick of them all; the Grey Cup. The thought of going 5-0 with the correct choice is quite intoxicating, I dont think I have ever gone perfect in my CFL futuristic playoff speculations and would take great pride in guessing - I mean analyzing - correctly. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . The Goldeyes (10-7) lost 4-1 to the Saltdogs (8-9) Sunday afternoon before 5,834 sizzling fans at Shaw Park. The loss drops Winnipegs record to 3-4 during this past weeks seven-game homestand.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Portland Trail Blazers return home with a nine-game winning streak, but theyll face a stiff test Friday night when the Memphis Grizzlies come to the Moda Center. The Grizzlies are one of two NBA teams with 13 wins thus far. (The Toronto Raptors are the other.) Portland can join that group with a victory over Memphis. The Blazers are the hottest team in the NBA thanks to that nine-game streak. They extended their run thanks to a 3-0 trip versus the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Hornets. The Blazers, who have won seven straight at home, extended the streak to nine with a 105-97 victory over the Hornets Wednesday night. Wesley Matthews had 28 points and the Trail Blazers used a strong second half to beat the Hornets. Damian Lillard added 22 points and seven assists for the Blazers, while Robin Lopez tallied 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Its not getting any easier, said Matthews. The rest of the (Western Conference) isnt doing us any favors. They dont care that were on this little streak right now. Theyre continuing to play good basketball and we just have to continue to get better. Gerald Henderson opened the second half with a jumper to give Charlotte a 58-45 lead. However, the Blazers responded with a 16-5 run to get within 63-61 with 6:39 left in the third quarter. Trailing 69-66 moments later, Portland used a 12-2 surge to take the lead for good. LaMarcus Aldridge, who shot 3-for-18 en route to nine points, capped thee burst with a short jumper to make it 78-71, and the Blazers eventually took a three-point lead into the fourth. Cobi Jones Jersey. Holding an 81-79 lead, Portland went on a 15-3 run to put the game away. Lillard and Matthews tallied seven and six points, respectively, during the spurt that Chris Kaman capped with a jumper for a 96-82 edge. The Blazers outscored the Hornets by a 60-41 margin in the second half. Portland will play three of its next four at home, then head east again for five games. The Grizzlies have won three in a row and started their western road trip with a 99-93 triumph Wednesday night over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Marc Gasol had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Grizz. Mike Conley posted 19 points and seven assists for Memphis, which has won seven of the last eight games. In the second half we got more physical and we got more stops. We got into the paint more, Gasol said. Zach Randolph finished with 16 and Courtney Lee added 10 for a Memphis team which shot 45 percent from the field, but just 22.7 percent from behind the 3- point line. The Grizzlies, who are the NBAs only undefeated team at home, are just 5-2 on the road. Things wont get easier for Memphis with stops in Sacramento and Houston to follow. The Grizzlies took two of three last season from the Blazers, including one at the Moda Center. Memphis is 6-2 in its last eight versus Portland, but has dropped four of the last seven as the visitor in this series. ' ' '