Manchester United officially announce signing of Antony for £85 million from Ajax

Manchester United have officially completed the signature of Brazilian winger Antony from Ajax.

The move sees Antony become Manchester United’s second most expensive signing of all time, with the fee reported to be just shy of £85 million with a further £4 million in performance related bonuses.

Antony was a priority target of Erik ten Hag, with the Red Devils submitting three separate bids of increasing price that were all rejected, before the fourth bid was eventually accepted by the Amsterdam side.

Speaking on the move, Antony said: “This is an incredible moment in my career to be joining one of the most iconic clubs in the world. I’m thankful to everyone who has believed in me, especially my family, and all my coaches and team-mates, because I could not have got here without them. 

“Playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax was perfect for me and my development. His style of football and coaching brings out the best in me, and I am excited by what he has told me about his plans and ambitions in Manchester.

“My time at Ajax was fantastic and I will always be grateful for the trust they put in me, but now I am ready for the next challenge, and I can’t wait to join my new team-mates and play my part in bringing success to Manchester United.”

Antony follows his fellow former Ajax man Lisandro Martinez through the doors of Carrington, with the Argentine defender signing for just under £60 million earlier in the window.

The Brazilian becomes the fifth signing of the summer and second Brazilian to join after Real Madrid’s Casemiro joined the club last week in a deal worth up to £60 million.

Antony himself made it very public that he wanted to leave Ajax for United, and it is reported that he sees Erik ten Hag as ‘more than a manager’, having spent the last two seasons playing under the Dutchman’s guidance.

Erik ten Hag said on Antony in his press conference on Wednesday: "It's good in the first place that there is competition. That is I think very natural. In a top club, this situation has to be there to push players, persons to the highest levels. I'm sure they're [Rashford & Sancho] happy with that as well."

He also mentioned that he sees Antony primarily as a right-winger.

Football director John Murtough commented: “Antony is one of the most exciting young talents in European football and has exactly the right profile for the attacking, dynamic team Erik is building. 

“We have been especially impressed by his desire to join Manchester United, and to be part of a long-term project to get the club back to the levels of performance we all expect.”

Manchester United are due to face Leicester City on Thursday evening, and although it is unlikely that Antony will be able to feature in the fixture, he will almost certainly make his debut against Arsenal at Old Trafford.