Lisandro Martinez from Ajax Amsterdam has put pen to paper for English club side Manchester united on a five years deal.
United confirmed the signing of Martinez in a deal worth an initial €57.37 million on with an option of an additional year.
The contract talks ended on Wednesday with both parties signing the dotted lines.
The Argentine made 177 appearances in the Dutch league, scoring 9 goals with 11 assists.
In an interview with the club, Martinez said it’s an honour for him to join the great football club after he works hard to get to his current moment.
“It’s an honour to join this great football club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further.
He added, “I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United. There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new teammates, we can do it.
“I want to thank Ajax and their fans for all the support they gave me. I had an unbelievable time there but feel the moment is right to test myself in another environment. Now I am at the perfect club to do this.”
The Club Football Director, John Murtough said the defender is an outstanding player who can bring quality to the team.
“Lisandro is an outstanding player who will bring further quality and experience to Erik [Ten Hag]’s squad.
“We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further and help the team achieve the success we are aiming for.”
Following the announcement made on July 18th, the club manager, Erik Ten Hag told the club website that the defender is a fighting warrior and he thinks the fans will admire him.
“He’s a warrior and I think the fans will admire him. He has an attitude, fighting spirit,” Ten Hag told us.
“He brings aggressiveness in the game, in a good way. I think we need that.
Ten Hang also added that Martinez can deal with the ball because the Premier League is high intensity, and such a player is needed.
“But also, he’s also skilful and he can deal with the ball and he’s left-footed.”
“I think it’s important, yeah. I think the Premier League is high intensity, with lots of challenges. We need such players [with fighting spirit].”
“Certain ideas, he knows them. That is an advantage.
“But also he has to adapt, to a new country, a new club, new team-mates. So also a lot of things will be different,” Ten Hang said.
