MANCHESTER United gained some consolation for missing out on Alan Shearer by finally completing the signing of Czech Euro 96 star Karel Poborsky.

As Shearer headed to Newcastle, midfielder Poborsky agreed a four year deal with last season's double winners.

United, who had previously led the hunt for Shearer's signature, will pay Czech champions Slavia Prague £3.5 million for a player who was a key member of the side which reached last month's European Championship final at Wembley.

Poborsky signed the confract at a Prague hotel with United director Maurice Watkins, Slavia general director Vladimir Leska, and Slavia chairman Miroslav Ondricek.

"I hope that I can bring to Manchester the same good performance as I brought here," the softly spoken Poborsky said after putting pen to paper.

United are hoping to complete a double European import by landing Barcelona's Dutch international winger Jordi Cruyff.