Manchester United have announced the signing of Lisandro Martinez on an initial five-year contract. United confirmed on July 17 that they had reached a club-to-club agreement with Ajax over signing the 24-year-old Argentine centre-back.
A Key Defensive Signing For Manchester United
The move has now been finalised with Martinez becoming the club’s third summer signing behind Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen. United have an option to extend Martinez’s contract by a further year to June 2028. The Red Devils agreed to pay in the region of £47million (€55million) for Martinez, plus another £8.5million (€10million) in add-ons.
Martinez said: “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.
“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, 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.”
United chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough travelled to Amsterdam in order to get the deal agreed with Ajax chief executive — and former United goalkeeper — Edwin van der Sar.
The signing represents something of a coup for United.
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Premier League rivals Arsenal also had a strong interest in signing the defender, who moved to Ajax from Argentine side Defensa y Justicia in 2019.
Martinez informed the Eredivisie champions that the only option he would consider this summer is a move to the Premier League. When Ajax extended his contract last October, there was an understanding that they would not stand in his way. Martinez played 36 times for Ajax last season. He has made seven appearances for Argentina and was part of the squad that won the Copa America in 2019.
