sevendayweekender – Manchester United have completed the signing of Belgium international Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after activating his £35 million release clause. The experienced midfielder has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford. Becoming another key addition to United’s squad ahead of the new season.
The 29-year-old joins the Red Devils following three successful seasons with Aston Villa and shortly after helping Belgium reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup. His arrival strengthens Manchester United’s midfield as the club continues reshaping its squad under the current management team.
Manchester United Sign Youri Tielemans in £35 Million Transfer
Tielemans arrives at Old Trafford after Manchester United triggered the £35 million release clause in his Aston Villa contract. The Belgium international has committed his future to the club by signing a five-year deal.
The midfielder will wear the number 18 shirt. Previously occupied by Casemiro before the Brazilian left the club at the end of his contract last season.
Tielemans spent the past three campaigns at Aston Villa after joining the club following his successful spell with Leicester City. He originally moved to the Premier League in 2019 and quickly established himself as one of the division’s most consistent midfielders.
Before arriving in England, Tielemans developed through Anderlecht’s academy and made his senior debut at just 16 years and 82 days old. He later joined Monaco in 2017 before continuing his career in the Premier League.
Despite still being in his twenties, Tielemans has already accumulated remarkable experience. He has played 668 matches for club and country, scoring 79 goals, including 578 appearances at club level.
Among the highlights of his career are the winning goal for Leicester City in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea and Aston Villa’s decisive victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final earlier this year.
Belgium International Ready for New Challenge at Old Trafford
Speaking after completing the move, Tielemans described joining Manchester United as one of the proudest moments of his career.
“It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United,” Tielemans told the club’s official website.
“Signing for such a special club feels incredible.” “It is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.”
Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox welcomed the signing and praised the midfielder’s consistent performances throughout his Premier League career.
“Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years,” Wilcox said.
“He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United.”
“Youri’s consistency is exceptional, and he will add further composure, creativity and leadership to our squad.”
Although Tielemans experienced calf and ankle injuries last season. Limiting him to 35 appearances for Aston Villa, he still played an important role for both club and country. During the World Cup, he scored a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer against Senegal before converting the winning penalty in extra time as Belgium secured a 3-2 victory.
His tournament ended before the semifinal stage after he suffered an injury during the warm-up before Belgium’s quarter-final defeat to Spain.
Tielemans becomes Manchester United’s latest summer signing following the arrivals of midfielder Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow. The club is also continuing to assess its transfer strategy. Although a proposed move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has reportedly been placed on hold for the time being.
