Manchester United have made their first signing of this summer. Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has joined the Red Devils.
The Netherlands international has signed a five-year deal worth £120,000 per week, with an option to extend a further year.
🥁 Presenting our new…
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 2, 2020
No.3️⃣4️⃣ 🤩#MUFC @Donny_Beek6
Former Manchester United players Edwin van der Sar, now CEO at Ajax, and Daley Blind also encouraged Van de Beek to move to Old Trafford. Former Arsenal star Dennis Bergkamp also advised him to choose the Premier League.
But ultimately, it was United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who was the key to this transfer deal as “Every coach can say they want you, but it takes a very special coach to explain exactly why they want you. Ole convinced Donny entirely.”
Now, when Netherlands international Donny Van De Veek will make his United debut he will create a record at Old Trafford. He will become the 13th Netherlands international to don the red jersey. The Netherlands will move one clear of France in the all-time rankings of countries to which the United players belong.
Arnold Muhren became the first man from the Netherlands to don the famous red shirt after moving from Ipswich Town in 1982.
The 13 Netherlands players who played for Manchester United are:
- Arnold Muhren
- Jordi Cruyff
- Raimond van der Gouw
- Jaap Stam
- Ruud van Nistelrooy
- Edwin van der Sar
- Robin van Persie
- Alexander Buttner
- Daley Blind
- Memphis Depay
- Tim Fosu-Mensah
- Tahith Chong
- Donny Van De Beek
Countries with most Manchester United players (outside UK and Ireland)
- Netherlands – 13 players (including van de Beek)
- France – 12
- Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain – 6
- Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden – 5
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