(CNN) -- Desperate times call for desperate measures. After a humbling League Cup defeat at the hands of lowly Sunderland, and with the reigning English champions a distant seventh in the Premier League table, Manchester United have broken the bank to bring in Juan Mata from Chelsea. A club record fee of £37.1 million ($61 million) was confirmed by the club late Saturday after the Spaniard passed a medical and agreed personal terms. The fee trumps £30.75 million ($51 million) that United paid Tottenham Hotspur for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. WorldSportBlog: How not to appoint a football manager In a statement released on Manchester United's official website Mata said: "I am thrilled to be joining United. I have enjoyed some very happy years at Chelsea but the time has come for a new challenge.
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Manchester United confirm signing of Juan Mata for club record £37.1 million
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Spanish international hoping to revitalize career after falling out of favor at Mourinho's Chelsea
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Mata: "United is the perfect place for me and I am excited at the chance."
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Moyes: " I know our fans have admired Juan for some time now."
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"I have been impressed with the excitement he has shown to be part of the new @placeholder.