Manchester United have shown the signing of Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, who will sign him for up to 39.1 million pounds (44 million euros).
United will pay a down payment of 34.7 million pounds for the 23-year-old, who signed a five-year contract with the option of 12 more months to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first recruit before the 2020–21 season.
Van de Beek, one of Ajax’s star players when he embarked on a memorable race to the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League.
However, he is now following his former teammates Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs of Ligt and Hakim Ziyech to get away from Johan Cruijff ArenA after losing Ajax’s friendly weekend at Eintracht Frankfurt.
“I can’t start thinking about the incredible opportunity it’s to sign up for a club with such an amazing story,” he told United’s website.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Ajax.I grew up there and I’ll have a special bond with the club.
“Now I’m in a position to take the next step in my career and carry it out at the highest point and there’s no more popular than Manchester United.”
“Everyone has told me how wonderful the atmosphere is at Old Trafford and I can’t wait to revel in that once the enthusiasts can return safely.
“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 taking is incredibly exciting and I look forward to being one of them.”
Van de Beek played 175 times for Ajax’s first team after progressing in the club’s youth ranks, marking times.
Now he will have to look to identify himself in a talented United midfielder alongside Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
“Donny has all the technical attributes to perform on this team and has the personality to succeed at Manchester United,” Solskjaer said.
His ability to see space, time his movements and read the game will complement the qualities we have in the midfield and his arrival reinforces the intensity of skill 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.”
United will begin their Premier League crusade at home against Crystal Palace on 19 September, a week later than most of their high-level counterparts, having been concerned in the final stages of the Europa League.
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