Manchester United have completed the signing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract with an option to extend for a further year, believed to be worth around £107,000-a-week before bonuses.
He becomes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing of the summer and could now form part of an exciting midfield trio alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
The midfielder had seemed destined for Real Madrid but the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the La Liga club put a lid on the move.
After completing his move to Old Trafford, Van de Beek said: ”I cannot begin to explain how incredible an opportunity it is to join a club with such an amazing history.
”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.”
Solskjaer added: ”Donny has all of the technical attributes needed to perform in this team and has the personality required to succeed at Manchester United.
”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 had delayed his arrival to the Holland national team camp in order to complete his Manchester United medical.
He is in the Holland squad for their Nations League games at home to Poland and Italy, but will link up with the squad later than was initially planned.
A product of Ajax’s famous academy, the midfielder has made 175 appearances for the Dutch club, scoring 41 goals.
He won the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup in the 2018-19 campaign, and was part of the Ajax side that was beaten by United in the 2017 Europa League final.
