Manchester United have completed the signing of Dutch midfielder and Real Madrid target Donny van de Beek from Eredivisie champions Ajax.
The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract with an option to extend for a further year and has cost United a reported fee of €45m, including add-ons.
Van de Beek came through the famed Ajax academy before making his senior debut in 2015 and went on to make 175 appearances for the club, scoring 41 goals and notching 34 assists. He expressed his joy at the move and revealed that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was influential in him deciding to move to Old Trafford.
"I cannot begin to explain how incredible an opportunity it is to join a club with such an amazing history," said van de Beek.
"I would like to thank everyone at Ajax, I grew up there and I will always have a special bond with the club. I am now ready to take the next step in my career and perform at the highest level and there is no higher standard than Manchester United.
"Everyone has told me how amazing the Old Trafford atmosphere is and I am looking forward to experiencing that, once it is safe for the fans to return. This team has some of the best midfielders in the world and I know that I can learn from them and also bring my own strengths to the group.
"Having spoken to the manager about his vision for this team, the direction that the club is going in is hugely exciting and I cannot wait to be a part of that."
It's time to take it up a notch 🎚🔥#MUFC @Donny_Beek6 pic.twitter.com/qeVpil7Y3D
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2020
The Dutch international, who has been capped ten times, can play both as a deep lying midfielder and in a more attacking position and comparisons have been drawn with United legend Paul Scholes and his old England team-mate Frank Lampard.
He played a key role as Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 and also featured in the 2017 Europa League final against United and Solskjaer believes he will make a big contribution to his team.
"Donny has all of the technical attributes needed to perform in this team and has the personality required to succeed at Manchester United," said Solskjaer.
"His ability to see space, time his movements and read the game will really complement the qualities that we have in midfield and his arrival really strengthens the depth of talent we have in that position.
"Donny’s performances in the Eredivisie and in Europe have been excellent over the last few years and we are all looking forward to working with him."
Van de Beek is currently on international duty and will travel to the UK after the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League games against Poland on Friday and Italy next Monday.
