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Manchester United’s new recruit, Donny Van De Beek, has to wear the number 34 jersey in honor of Ajax’s former teammate Abdelhak Nouri.
United has reached a 34.1 million pound deal, which can reach 38.5 million pounds, for midfielder Van De Beek, who signed a five-year contract for his first summer signing.
Nouri, 23, suffered a brain injury after suffering a central attack on the field while playing for Ajax in a preseason attack in Austria in 2017.
Donny’s first interview ?
Our new recruit to enroll in United, his taste for the game and honor his teammate and close friend ? – MUFC – Donny_Beek6
v Manchester United (@ManUtd) 2 September 2020
Dutchman Van De Beek, also 23, explained why he chose the number 34 shirt in an interview on United’s official website.
“This is something special to me because my smart friend Abdelhak Nouri … you might know the story, he had a center attack and he’s a smart friend of mine.
“I am very close to your family circle and your brother is one of my most productive companions and I communicate a lot with them.
“So I have to wear his old number on my blouse and I need to keep fond memories with this number.”
Thanks for the note, @ManUtd.
I can’t wait to see Donny_beek6 use the number 3️4️: https://t.co/iymmnXMLXH
Better yet, adidasUK https://t.co/5scHvp45XK pic.twitter.com/dwTurElMCz
– adidas UK (@adidasUK) 2 September 2020
Van De Beek played a role in Ajax’s thrilling race to the Champions League semi-finals last year and signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of an additional season.
“I can’t begin to think what an incredible opportunity it is to sign for a club with such an incredible history,” Van De Beek said.
“I have to thank everyone at Ajax, I grew up there and I will have a special bond with the club.
“Now I am in a position to take the next step in my career and carry it out at the highest point and there is no more popular than Manchester United.”
Take care of him, @ManUtd!♥ ️ – DreamLikeDonny https://t.co/AwhwkiI2pQ
– Edwin van der Sar (vdsar1970) 2 September 2020
“Everyone has told me how wonderful the Old Trafford environment is and I can’t wait to revel in that once enthusiasts can safely return.
“This team has some of the midfielders in the world and I know that I can be informed of them and also contribute my own strengths to the group.
“After talking to the coach about his vision for this team, the direction the club is headed in is incredibly exciting and I look forward to being one of them.
Van De Beek rose through the ranks of Ajax and left his mark on the Dutch national team.
He will arrive in Manchester after the next oranje League of Nations double with Poland and Italy.
United technician Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Donny has all the technical attributes needed to perform on this team and has the personality to succeed at Manchester United.”
His ability to see space, time his movements and read the game will complement the qualities we have in midfield and his arrival reinforces the intensity of skill that we have in this position.
“Donny’s performances at the Eredivisie and Europe have been perfect in recent years and we are all ahead of running with him.”
? can’t wait to see what’s in the next bankruptcy!? – MUFC – Donny_Beek6 pic.twitter.com/Gskd6Ry8ob
v Manchester United (@ManUtd) 2 September 2020
Ajax football affairs director Marc Overmars wanted Van De Beek at Old Trafford.
“It’s a wonderful move for Donny, a move he deserves,” he said.It is also a compliment to the Ajax Youth Academy, where he has been since he was 11.
“Last summer there was a lot of interest in him, but fortunately we were able to keep him at Ajax for another year.
“In the months that followed, he showed us a lot in national and European competitions.
“He is now part of Ajax’s first team in nearly five years.He’s in a position for this level and we’ll miss him.