OFFICIAL: Man Utd announce Varane signing
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 14 Aug 2021 12:59 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United confirmed the €40 million (£34m) signing of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane ahead of their opening Premier League match of the season against Leeds United.
Varane has signed a four-year deal with Man Utd, who could pay up to another €8m to the Spanish outfit in bonuses, taking the total value of the deal to €48m.
An agreement had long been reached with the Bernabeu side over the France international defender, yet there were delays in getting the deal over the line due to quarantine restrictions.
Amid a fever-pitch atmosphere at Old Trafford ahead of the first game of the campaign, though, the deal was announced and Varane strolled out onto the Old Trafford pitch to be greeted by a raucous crowd.
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In a statement, Man Utd confirmed: "Manchester United is delighted to announce the signing of Raphael Varane, keeping him at the club until June 2025."
Varane arrives at Old Trafford after winning four Champions League titles in a 10-year stay with Real Madrid, while he has also won the World Cup with France.
Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football and the chance to come here and play in the Premier League is something I couldn’t turn down
- Raphael VaraneHe added: “Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football and the chance to come here and play in the Premier League is something I couldn’t turn down.
“There is a lot more that I want to achieve in my career and I know I’m joining a squad full of great players who will all have the same determination to win matches and trophies. Having spoken to the manager I can see how much progress has been made over the last few seasons and I now join a group ready to play at the highest level.
“I want to make an impact here and I will give everything to become part of this club’s illustrious history.”
Solskjaer on Varane
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Man Utd's manager, stated: "I’m absolutely delighted that we have managed to secure one of the best defenders in the world over the last 10 years. Raphael is a proven winner who we have tracked over a long period of time and we know just how much of a dedicated professional he is.
“We have great depth of international defenders and he will add his immense skill set and leadership to that group. He is a unique defender with a rare combination of top-level attributes that I know will rub off on our younger players.
“He has won everything there is to win but I know that he is still determined to succeed, I can’t wait to welcome him into the squad.”
