Manchester United on Tuesday completed the signing of Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa in a deal reportedly worth £35 million ($47 million).
The 29-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford after returning from the FIFA World Cup, where he captained Belgium to the quarter-finals.
Tielemans becomes United’s third signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea and goalkeeper Karl Darlow from Leeds United.
“It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United,” Tielemans said.
“Signing for such a special club feels incredible. It is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.
“I have had the privilege of experiencing success in the game, and it has only increased my determination to achieve more.
“The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear, we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years.”
Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, hailed the Belgian international as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders in recent seasons.
“He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United,” Wilcox said.
Tielemans joined Aston Villa on a free transfer from Leicester City in 2023 after helping the Foxes win the FA Cup.
He became a key figure under Unai Emery, playing an instrumental role as Villa secured UEFA Champions League qualification and lifted the UEFA Europa League title last season.
The midfielder, however, missed Belgium’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain because of injury.
United identified midfield reinforcements as a priority following Casemiro’s departure and the knee ligament injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte during the World Cup.
On Monday, the club announced the signing of Santos from Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth £50 million.
United finished third in the Premier League last season under manager Michael Carrick, securing qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
AFP
