Manchester United sign Ivorian winger Diallo from Atalanta
Football
By
Reuters
| Jan 09, 2021
Manchester United have signed winger Amad Diallo from Italian side Atalanta, with the 18-year-old Ivorian putting pen to paper on a contract until June 2025, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed but British media reported United agreed to pay a base fee of 21 million euros ($25.77 million) with 20 million euros in add-ons.
United said an agreement had been reached between the clubs on the last day of the summer transfer window in October, with personal terms and his work permit now finalised for a visa application.
"As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game," United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said.
"It will take time for him to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition.
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"He's a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come."
Diallo said finally being able to complete a move to United after terms were agreed months ago was a "dream come true".
"I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game. When I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club," he said.
"I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club."
United are second in the league standings, level with leaders Liverpool on 33 points with a game in hand, and host Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday.