MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed the world-record £85m signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City.
The England international, 26, has become the most-expensive defender on the planet after penning a six-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further 12-months.
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Maguire said: “I delighted to have signed for this great club. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past two seasons.
“However, when Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.
“From my conversations with the manager, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team. “It’s clear to see that Ole is building a team to win trophies.
“I am now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting the season started.”
RED RECORD
After weeks of negotiations, the Red Devils finally agreed the blockbuster fee with the Foxes on Friday as the star travelled to Manchester to undergo a medical on Sunday.
And now he has rubber-stamped his dream move withthe huge fee — £10m more than Liverpool forked out for Virgil van Dijk— will be paid in cash without add-ons.
It is the second highest figure paid by a Prem club, with only Paul Pogba’s £89m Old Trafford return in 2016 topping it.
It brings an end to the transfer saga as United battled rivals Manchester City for the centre-back.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made the ex-Sheffield United ace his No 1 target but he had to remain patient to get his man as Leicester insisted on interest clubs topping the Van Dijk record.
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‘FANTASTIC ADDITION’
Now he has finally got his man and he could not be happier.
The Norwegian said: “Harry is one of the best centre-backs in the game today and I am delighted we have secured his signature.
“He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure – coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes – I can see he will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch.
“He has a great personality and is a fantastic addition to the club.
“I would like to welcome Harry to Manchester United and we are looking forward to working with him as we prepare for the new season.”
Maguire missed training earlier in the week and was then left out of Friday’s pre-season friendly with Atalanta amid uncertainty over his future.
Now the deal has finally been completed as the ace becomes Solskjaer’s third signing of the summer.
Solskjaer has bought British this window with Maguire joining full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Wales winger Dan James.
Hull are set to land £10.2m of the fee with a 15 per cent sell-on clause on profits from when they sold Maguire to Leicester.
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