Manchester United have completed the signing of Belgium international Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after activating the midfielder’s £35 million release clause.
The 29-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, becoming United’s latest summer addition as the club continues to strengthen its midfield ahead of the new season.
Tielemans arrives after three seasons at Aston Villa, where he played a key role in the club’s rise under Unai Emery, including their UEFA Europa League triumph in May. Before joining Villa, he spent four-and-a-half years at Leicester City, famously scoring the winning goal in the Foxes’ 2021 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea.
“It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United,” Tielemans said after completing the move.
“Signing for such a special club feels incredible. It is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.”
The experienced midfielder will inherit the No. 18 shirt following the departure of Casemiro, whose contract expired at the end of last season.
Despite still being in his twenties, Tielemans brings a wealth of experience, having made 668 senior appearances for club and country, scoring 79 goals, including 578 matches at club level.
United director of football Jason Wilcox believes the Belgian’s quality and experience will strengthen the squad.
“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.”
Tielemans also impressed for Belgium at the ongoing FIFA World Cup before his campaign was cut short by injury. He scored a dramatic late equaliser against Senegal before converting the winning penalty in extra time to send Belgium into the quarter-finals, where they eventually lost 2-1 to Spain after the midfielder suffered an injury during the pre-match warm-up.
Last season, separate calf and ankle injuries limited Tielemans to 35 appearances for Aston Villa his lowest tally since arriving in English football but United remain confident his experience and technical ability will be invaluable.
Tielemans becomes Manchester United’s latest summer recruit after the arrivals of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while the club’s pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson has reportedly been placed on hold.
