MANCHESTER UNITED have announced the £47million signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan.
Onana, 27, joins the Red Devils after they made the goalkeeper their number one priority following the departure of David de Gea.
GettyAndre Onana has signed for Manchester United[/caption]
GettyErik ten Hag has been desperate to bring in the Inter Milan star[/caption]
The deal sees Onana – who has signed a five-year deal with an option for a further season – become the third most expensive goalkeeper in football history.
Only Chelsea‘s £72m world record signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Liverpool’s £67m acquisition of Alisson – both in 2018 – are larger than Onana’s move to Old Trafford.
United will pay an initial fee of £43m for the Cameroon international, with add-ons taking the total value to around £47m.
Upon sealing his move to Old Trafford, Onana said: “To join Manchester United is an incredible honour and I have worked hard all my life to get to this moment, overcoming many obstacles along the way.
“Walking out at Old Trafford to defend our goal and contribute to the team will be another amazing experience. This is the start of a new journey for me, with new team-mates, and new ambitions to fight for.
“Manchester United has a long history of incredible goalkeepers, and I will now give everything to create my own legacy in the coming years.
“I am excited by the opportunity to work again with Erik ten Hag, and I can’t wait to play my part in the success I know he is determined to deliver at this great football club.”
United football director John Murtough added: “Andre was our top choice to become the new goalkeeper for Manchester United, with exactly the right profile of technical attributes and personality.
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“Having achieved success throughout his career, we know that Andre will further add to the winning mentality we are building within our squad.
“He is already one of the world’s best goalkeepers and at the age of 27 we firmly believe that he can develop even further over the coming years.”
Fans may get their first taste of Onana in Saturday’s friendly against Arsenal.
Failing this, he could instead make his bow against Borussia Dortmund or Real Madrid shortly after.
His arrival is now set to green light Dean Henderson’s permanent move to Nottingham Forest after reports claimed the 26-year-old had “p***ed off” Ten Hag at the start of last season.
Onana knocks Thibaut Courtois‘ £38m move from Chelsea to Real Madrid out of the top three.
Manchester City‘s £35m buy of Ederson ranks No.5, with Italy icon Gianluigi Buffon‘s £33m 2001 transfer from Parma to Juventus ranking sixth.
Alex Meret comes in No7 with his £32m move Udinese to Napoli in 2018.
Two £31m deals in 2019 involving Barcelona rank at eight and nine.
These being Jasper Cillessen‘s move to Valencia and Neto‘s arrival at Barcelona for the same fee, though the latter’s started out at £23.2m before add-ons.
England shot stoppers Aaron Ramsdale and Jordan Pickford – both the subject of £30m transfers to Arsenal and Everton respectively – come in at ten and 11.
Francesco Toldo’s £25m move from Fiorentina to Inter in 2001 then comes in at 12.
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