August 14, (THEWILL) – Manchester United have signed Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt and Moroccan full-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
De Ligt has agreed to a contract until June 2029, while Mazraoui will stay at Old Trafford until June 2028. Both deals include the option to extend for an additional year.
The transfer fees were not officially disclosed, but British media reports suggest the combined cost exceeds £50 million. The 25-year-old De Light and 26-year-old Mazraoui previously worked under current United manager Erik ten Hag during their time at Ajax Amsterdam, where they began their youth careers.
De Ligt brings a wealth of experience to United’s defence, having won league titles in the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany with Ajax, Juventus, and Bayern Munich respectively. The centre-back admitted: “Erik ten Hag shaped the early stages of my career, so he knows how to get the best out of me.”
Mazraoui, who joined Bayern from Ajax in 2022, made 55 appearances for the German club across all competitions. During his debut season, he helped the team win the Bundesliga and the DFL-Supercup. The full-back also shared his excitement about working with Ten Hag again, saying: “Erik ten Hag played an important part in my development as a player.”
These signings represent United’s efforts to strengthen their defensive options for the upcoming season. Both players bring top-level experience and familiarity with Ten Hag’s tactical approach, which could prove valuable as the club aims to improve its performance in domestic and European competitions.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
