Manchester United sign Donny van de Beek in £40m transfer from Ajax as he becomes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first summer signing

Manchester United have made their first signing of the summer with the arrival of Donny van de Beek from Ajax.

The midfielder has joined the Red Devils in a £40million transfer from the Dutch giants as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finally strengthens his squad.

Van de Beek has signed a five-year contract worth a reported £107,000-per-week before bonuses. He will wear the No 34 shirt.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Tottenham have all been linked with Van de Beek over the past 12 months but he will now be playing his football at Old Trafford.

‘I cannot begin to explain how incredible an opportunity it is to join a club with such an amazing history,’ Van de Beek told the club’s official website.

‘I would like to thank everyone at Ajax. I grew up there and I will always have a special bond with the club.

‘I am now ready to take the next step in my career and perform at the highest level and there is no higher standard than Manchester United.

‘Everyone has told me how amazing the Old Trafford atmosphere is and I am looking forward to experiencing that, once it is safe for the fans to return.

‘This team has some of the best midfielders in the world and I know that I can learn from them and also bring my own strengths to the group.

‘Having spoken to the manager about his vision for this team, the direction that the club is going in is hugely exciting and I cannot wait to be a part of that.’

The 23-year-old could now form part of a tantalising midfield trio at United alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

Solskjaer will now push on with plans to at least sign another centre back and a right winger – with Jadon Sancho the No 1 target in the latter position.

‘Donny has all of the technical attributes needed to perform in this team and has the personality required to succeed at Manchester United,’ Solskjaer said of his new acquisition.

‘His ability to see space, time his movements and read the game will really complement the qualities that we have in midfield and his arrival really strengthens the depth of talent we have in that position.

‘Donny’s performances in the Eredivisie and in Europe have been excellent over the last few years and we are all looking forward to working with him.’

A product of Ajax’s famous academy, Van de Beek made 175 appearances for the Dutch outfit, scoring 41 goals. Last season he contributed 10 goals and 11 assists in 37 games before the Eredivisie was curtailed.

He won the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup in the 2018-19 campaign, and was part of the Ajax side that was beaten by United in the 2017 Europa League final.