Man United signs Dutch defender Alexander Buttner

Manchester United has signed defender Alexander Buttner from Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.

The 23-year-old Dutch left back signed a five-year deal Tuesday, a day after United opened the Premier League season with a 1-0 loss at Everton.

Man United manager Alex Ferguson says Buttner is "someone we've been watching for a while now. He gives us some really exciting options in that position."

Buttner made 119 appearances in four years at Vitesse Arnhem.