Manchester United have completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for about £35m, activating a release clause in the midfielder’s contract. The 29-year-old has agreed a five-year deal and will wear the number 18 shirt vacated by Casemiro.
“It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United,” Tielemans said. “Signing for such a special club feels incredible, it is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football. I have had the privilege of experiencing success in the game and it has only increased my determination to achieve more. The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear; we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years.”
“Manchester United sign Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35m on a five-year deal.”
Tielemans arrives after United also signed midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £48m plus £2m in add-ons on Monday, and goalkeeper Karl Darlow earlier in the window. A move for Atalanta’s Ederson has been put on hold.
The Belgium international, capped 90 times, scored Aston Villa’s opening goal in their 3-0 Europa League final victory over Freiburg in May and previously netted Leicester City’s winner in the 2021 FA Cup final. Last season he contributed seven assists for Villa, broke the most defensive lines per 100 passes of any Premier League midfielder or attacker, and made the second-highest number of line-breaking passes under pressure. However, he also suffered separate calf and ankle problems that restricted him to 35 appearances in all competitions — his lowest tally in a campaign since moving to England.
At the World Cup, Tielemans scored a memorable 89th-minute equaliser for Belgium against Senegal and converted an extra-time penalty winner in their 3-2 win, but his tournament ended prematurely when he was injured in the warm-up before the 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Spain.
United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, said: “Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years. 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.”
Tielemans made his senior debut for Anderlecht aged 16 years and 82 days, left for Monaco in 2017, and has since played 668 games for club and country, scoring 79 goals from 578 club appearances. His departure represents a considerable loss to Villa, particularly after the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained by his compatriot Amadou Onana at the World Cup. Villa have announced their front-of-shirt sponsor will be Visit Rwanda, which previously sponsored Arsenal.