OFFICIAL: Man United Announces The Signing Of Andre Onana From Inter Milan.

Manchester United have officially announced the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan on Thursday.

Andre Onana replaces David De Gea who departed Old Trafford earlier this month, with the Spaniard bringing an end on his 12-years stay as the club's first choice goalkeeper.

The transfer fee for the 27-year-old Cameroon international is reported to be an initial €51m (£43.8m), plus €4m (£3.4m) in potential add-ons, depending on individual and club performance.

Onana has put pen to paper on a five-year contract until June 2028 with the Red Devils with the option of a further year, after travelling to England this week to complete his medical at their Carrington training complex.

United boss Erik ten Hag worked with Onana at Ajax, where they won three Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups together and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

Onana joined Barcelona's youth system in 2010. He then signed for Ajax in 2015, where he made 214 appearances with the Dutch outfit. 

The goalkeeper, who has kept 104 clean sheets in 255 appearances throughout his club career, further joined Inter Milan on a free transfer in July 2022 and in his sole season at the Italian club, he made 41 appearances across all competitions, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiaa title, and also reaching the UEFA Champions League final last season where they lost 1-0 to Man City.

 

Onana also confirmed his switch to Manchester in an emotional Instagram message targeted at Inter supporters.

“I never imagined that a farewell would be so hard,” Onana wrote of saying goodbye to Inter fans;

“A year ago I became a Nerazzurro, many people told me that this club and this city had something special. Now I can confirm it. In my first days as a Nerazzurro, I realised that this is a family and that being Interisti is a way of understanding life.

“I fell in love with San Siro, la Curva and the city. Now the circumstances are right for me to start a new journey in Manchester. I do it with great enthusiasm, but knowing that I will miss you. Eternal gratitude to all the Interisti. You make this club great.

“Maybe one day our paths will cross again, but now it’s time to face new challenges and cheer you on from afar. Players come and go, but the club always remains, and Inter is above everything and everyone.”

Speaking after the successful transfer, Onana told the United club's media: "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 teammates, 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’s 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.

“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.”

Onana will wear the 24 squad number as it is the one he has worn during his club career so far at Ajax and at Inter Milan, with the number one shirt remaining vacant.

This also allows him to create his own path at Man United, evading comparisons with former numbers ones.

The No.24 shirt was most recently worn by Timothy Fosu-Mensah, and prior to that, current technical director Darren Fletcher.

It was also worn by club legends Paul Scholes and David Beckham earlier in their careers, along with Wes Brown.

Onana has been spotted at Manchester Airport, and he is currently on his way to New York, USA to join up with his new teammates for pre-season tour. He is expected to make his debut for United against Arsenal in a pre-season friendly on Saturday night.

Now that manager Erik ten Hag has gotten the goalkeeper that he wants, he will now turn his attention to bringing in a new No 9 strjoer.

Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund is thought to be the frontrunner to come in and fill the void up top. However, reports suggest that United's interest in Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt is "growing" amid concerns over Atalanta's asking price of £60m for Hojlund.

Man Utd will want to bring that valuation down but appear to be struggling to reach a compromise with the Italian side. If a deal can't be struck then they are expected to make a move to Kolo Muani instead.