Soccer

Memphis Depay completes €43m move to Manchester United

Dutch winger signs four-year deal with option on a fifth

New Manchester United team-mates Daley Blind and Memphis Depay during a Dutch training session in Katwijk ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia in Riga. Photo: Koen Van Weel/AFP/Getty Images
New Manchester United team-mates Daley Blind and Memphis Depay during a Dutch training session in Katwijk ahead of their Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia in Riga. Photo: Koen Van Weel/AFP/Getty Images
Fri Jun 12 2015 - 16:13

Manchester United have formally completed the signing of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven.

United agreed a €43 million deal with the Dutch club for the 21-year-old winger last month.

United have now confirmed Depay has signed a four-year contract at Old Trafford with the option to extend for a further year.

Depay was the top scorer in the Eredivisie last season, scoring 22 goals in 30 games to help PSV to the title.

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The move reunites the Dutch international with his former national boss Louis van Gaal.

Depay, who was also linked with Liverpool, told the club’s website: “This is a dream come true for me. To play for the biggest club in the world and also to have the chance to work with someone who I believe is the best manager in the world, Louis van Gaal.

“I have great belief in my ability and I work hard to strive to achieve my dreams.

“I have been at PSV Eindhoven since I was 12 years old and I would like to thank them for everything. It was a great moment when we won the league and I was so happy to be part of that.

“This is now a new chapter in my life and one that I am looking forward to.”

Depay broke into the PSV side in 2011 and went on to make 124 senior appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals in total. He has scored three times in 16 games for the Netherlands and was part of Van Gaal’s squad at the 2014 World Cup.

United manager Van Gaal said: “I know Memphis well from our time working together in the Netherlands national team. He is a young versatile player who has the ability to play in a number of different positions.

“It will take time for Memphis to get used to the rhythm of the Premier League but I have no doubt that he has the potential to become a great footballer for this club and he is at the right club to continue the good work he has done so far.”

Depay does not appear to be lacking in confidence, believing he is capable of becoming a United great.

Asked how much he wanted to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo, Depay told MUTV: "I'm going to let my feet speak. I hope I can develop here in the Premier League and I hope I can be like those great legends one time in my career.

“I’m going to work hard, so let’s see. I believe I can be a great player for Manchester United.”