By Adedapo Adesanya
English top-flight football club, Manchester United, and Netherlands giants, Ajax, have reached an agreement for the transfer of Donny van de Beek for a five-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year.
The transfer to the English club is effective immediately. Van de Beek was under contract with Ajax until June 30, 2022.
Under the agreement, Ajax will receive a transfer fee of €39 million, with the possibility to rise to €44 million through variables.
Commenting on the deal, Ajax Director of Football Affairs and former Arsenal player, Marc Overmars, stated that, “This is a great transfer for Donny, one which he deserves. It’s also a compliment to Ajax’s youth academy, where he has played since he was 11.
“Last summer, there was a lot of interest in him but, luckily, we were able to keep him at Ajax for one more year.
“In the months that followed, he proved very valuable to us in both domestic and European competitions. He has now been a part of the Ajax first team for almost 5 years. He is ready for this step and we will miss him.”
On the part of Manchester United, the Manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, said: “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.”
On his part, Donny 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.”
Van de Beek was born on April 18, 1997, in Nijkerkerveen. He has played at Ajax since the D-Juniors level. He made his debut with the first team on November 26, 2015, in the UEFA Europa League match, Celtic – Ajax (1-2). The Dutch international has played 175 official matches with the Ajax first team, scoring 41 goals.
In the 2018-2019 season, Van de Beek became an Eredivisie champion, in addition to capturing the KNVB Cup. Last year, he won the Johan Cruijff Shield with Ajax. The Netherlands international contributed 10 goals and 11 assists in 37 games last season before the Eredivisie was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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