Manchester United have signed Dutch midfielder Donnie van de Beek on a five-year deal with Ajax for 35 35 million and 5 5 million for an add-on.
Van de Beek, 23, played 175 first-team games for Ajax, scoring 41 goals and helping them make a surprise run in the 2018-19 Champions League semifinals.
He will be available for United’s opening match of the 2020-21 season against Crystal Palace on September 19.
Van de Beek is the Premier League club’s first summer signing.
“I can’t begin to describe what an incredible opportunity it is to join a club with such a great history,” he said.
“I am now ready to take the next step of my career and perform at a higher level and there is no one higher than Manchester United.
“This team has some of the best midfielders in the world and I know I can learn from them and bring my strengths to the group.
“After talking to the manager about my attitude towards this team, the direction the club is heading is very interesting and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Boss Ole Gunnar Slusskaire added: “Donnie has the technical skills needed to perform on this team and the personality needed to succeed at Manchester United.
“His ability to see space, watch games and read games will really complement the qualities we have in midfield and his arrival really strengthens the depth of talent we have in that situation.”
United confirm Van de Beek will wear shirt number 34 as tribute Former Ajax teammate Abdelk Nouri, He suffered a brain injury after suffering a heart attack during a pre-season friendly in 2017.
Borussia Dortmund’s England winger Jaden Sancho is also a target for Salisbury but a deal has stalled due to the size of the fee.
Analysis
BBC football reporter Simon Stone
It was clear that Soulscare did not trust its back-up players. He named the same XI after the resumption of last season and made no changes to the Europa League semifinals. Defeated by Sevilla Until the 87th minute. If he had faith in those players, he would have brought them back before he did.
Van de Beek gives them a choice. They play -3-play-play but give them the option to play Bruno Fernandez and Paul Pogba with a diamond and two up front to relax, who ran out of steam at the end of the season.
We may not find that Soulscare’s first-choice XI is short-lived – and if Sancho comes along, it will be another ‘difficult’ one for him.
Where does Van de Beek fit in at United?
What new sign could Van de Beek sign on the Sonskiser side? Who will change that? And where can he play?
A look at his statistics from Ajax last season shows that he is closer in style to Bruno Fernandes than any other United midfielder.
| Passes | 42.7 |
| Shot on target | 0.8 |
| Tackles won | … |
| All statistics per 90 minutes (Eredivisie + Premier League 2019-20) |
We’ve got more statistics than any other United midfielder – you can Read more about it here.
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