Manchester United defender Rafael closing on a move to Ligue 1 side Lyon after arriving for talks in France

Manchester United's Rafael is joining Lyon after the two clubs reached a deal over the Brazilian right-back, the French side announced on Monday.

The 25-year-old, has passed a medical and will sign a four-year contract with the former multiple French champions.

Rafael joined United with his twin brother Fabio from Fluminense in 2008 and leaves Manchester with three Premier League titles, and a League Cup win.

Last season he only turned out ten times with new coach Louis van Gaal more often than not preferring Antonio Valencia.

Rafael, who was told he could leave after being omitted from their pre-season tour of the United States, said his goodbyes to United on Twitter.

"I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those 8 years," he wrote.

"Since I signed with the club I lived incredible moments, after all were 8 years wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs of the world."

Confirming the capture Lyon's official website announced: "OL announces a deal with Manchester United for the transfer of the Brazil international Rafael da Silva who will sign in the coming days a four year contract up to June 30, 2019.

"The player passed his medical today (Monday) in Lyon and will be presented to the media by the end of the week."

Rafael, who has played for his country twice, is the third new face at Lyon this close season after the arrival of Claudio Beauvue from Guingamp and Jeremy Morel from Marseille.

Lyon came second eight points behind Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season with the champions set to confirm the arrival of Rafael's teammate Angel di Maria this week.