Manchester United have completed the signing of World Cup-winning defender Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. According to a report from Marcus Christenson and Fabrizio Romano, the deal will be worth around 50 million euros.
It was announced in late July that Manchester United had agreed to a “deal in principle” with Real Madrid for the French defender. With United having had agreed on personal terms with Varane in mid-July, it looked like that Varane could complete his move to Manchester quickly once a deal with Real Madrid was agreed.
However, earlier this week, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer confirmed that the deal got held up due to Visa issues and Covid rules in the United Kingdom. The French defender had to isolate for a few days before completing his medical and officially signing with the club.
Manchester United Complete Raphael Varane Signing
According to Fabrizio Romano, Raphael Varane has signed a contract with Manchester United till June 2025 with an option to extend until 2026.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer Delighted With Varane Signing
Even though Victor Lindelof has had his fair share of good games during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as Manchester United manager, it became evidently clear by the end of last season that Solskjaer wanted to sign a new center-back partner for Harry Maguire.
Very early in the summer, it became clear that Real Madrid would be open to selling Raphael Varane, who was in the last year of his contract. As soon as Varane became a realistic target for Manchester United, Solskjaer pushed for Varane to be the one to compliment Harry Maguire at the heart of Manchester United’s defence.
After completing the signing of Raphael Varane, the Manchester United manager said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have managed to secure one of the best defenders in the world over the last 10 years. Raphaël 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.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also weighed in what Varane would add to the squad and said:
“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.”
Raphael Varane Couldn’t Turn Down United
Raphael Varane is only 28 and has already had an illustrious career with Real Madrid and France. He has won a total of 18 major honours with club and country including one World Cup and four Champions League.
Varane hopes to continue winning trophies at Manchester United. He said: “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.”
Talking about joining Manchester United and getting the chance to play in the Premier League, Varane said: “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 Varane will be wearing the No. 19 shirt which was previously worn by Amad Diallo, who has now been assigned No. 16 for the upcoming season. Varane, who walked onto the Old Trafford pitch with his new jersey in hand before the kick-off of United’s first game of the season against Leeds United, has got history with the number as No. 19 was what he wore in his first season at Real Madrid.
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