Manchester United have agreed an undisclosed fee with Spartak Moscow for defender Nemanja Vidic, the Premier League club announced on its website.
The Serbia and Montenegro international is expected to complete the move when the transfer window opens on January 1.
"Nemanja is a quick, aggressive centre-half and at 24 will be a terrific addition to the squad," United manager Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying on the club's website on Sunday.
Media reports suggest the fee to be around seven million pounds.
Vidic was captain of his first club Red Star Belgrade before moving to Spartak in 2004.
The 24-year-old attracted interest from Serie A, and was reportedly also tracked by Arsenal and Liverpool.