Serbian international midfielder Nemanja Matic signed for Manchester United on Monday from Premier League champions League, the buying club announced, for a reported fee of £40 million (US$52.7 million).
It is the second time United manager Jose Mourinho has invested in the 28 year old's talents having brought him back to Chelsea in 2014 after a successful spell with Benfica.
Matic signed a three year contract with United with the option to extend it by a year.
"Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player, "Mourinho told the club website. "He represents everything we want in a footballer: loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.
"I would like to thank him for his desire to join thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him."
Matic played just 65 minutes for Chelsea in his first period at the deal that saw David Luis move to Chelsea and him move in the opposite direction to Benfica in 2011.
He said Mourinho's presence at United had made it an easy decision.
"I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn't turn down," he told the club website.
"I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support. I cannot wait to meet my new team mates and to start training with them.
"This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club."
Matic's arrival takes Mourinho's spending to almost £150 million in the close season having outlaid £32 million for Swedish defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica and £75 million on Belgian international striker Romelo Lukaku from Everton - though that could rise to £90 million with add sons.
Ironically Lukaku's deal almost put a spike in Matic's transfer to United as Chelsea had ear marked the striker as their number one target and were not best pleased when he was snatched from underneath their noses.
At one point it was thought the Serbian, who had found life increasingly difficult at Stamford Bridge competing with French star N'Golo Kante for the central midfielder role, would end up at Juventus instead.
However, once United was quoted £50 million for England defensive midfielder Erik Diet by Tottenham, it switched its attentions back to Mastic and Chelsea relented.
Matic enjoyed a far happier second spell at Chelsea than his first one, winning the Premier League title twice and while never a prolific goalscorer he scored one of the goals of last season in the FA Cup semifinal win over Spurs at Wembley.
In all he scored seven times in 154 appearances for Chelsea.
"The Serbian departs Stamford Bridge having played a pivotal role in two Premier League title triumphs, as well as winning the League Cup with the Blues," said Chelsea in a long farewell statement.
"These trophies all came in his second spell at the club, after rejoining Chelsea in early 2014 to add steel and strength to the midfield.
"We thank Nemanja for his fantastic service and wish him well for the future."
Mourinho's spending my not over yet as he is known to cherish Croatian winger Ivan Periodic who is at Inter Milan but United baulked at the initial demand of £48.5 million although it hopes the Series A side might lower its price.
Whence France Pressed/ London
It is the second time United manager Jose Mourinho has invested in the 28 year old's talents having brought him back to Chelsea in 2014 after a successful spell with Benfica.
Matic signed a three year contract with United with the option to extend it by a year.
"Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player, "Mourinho told the club website. "He represents everything we want in a footballer: loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.
"I would like to thank him for his desire to join thank him for his desire to join us because without that, it would be impossible to have him here. I am sure our players and supporters will love him."
Matic played just 65 minutes for Chelsea in his first period at the deal that saw David Luis move to Chelsea and him move in the opposite direction to Benfica in 2011.
He said Mourinho's presence at United had made it an easy decision.
"I am delighted to have joined Manchester United. To work with Jose Mourinho once again was an opportunity I couldn't turn down," he told the club website.
"I have enjoyed my time at Chelsea and would like to thank the club and the fans for their support. I cannot wait to meet my new team mates and to start training with them.
"This is a very exciting time for the club and I am looking forward to playing my part in creating more history for this great club."
Matic's arrival takes Mourinho's spending to almost £150 million in the close season having outlaid £32 million for Swedish defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica and £75 million on Belgian international striker Romelo Lukaku from Everton - though that could rise to £90 million with add sons.
Ironically Lukaku's deal almost put a spike in Matic's transfer to United as Chelsea had ear marked the striker as their number one target and were not best pleased when he was snatched from underneath their noses.
At one point it was thought the Serbian, who had found life increasingly difficult at Stamford Bridge competing with French star N'Golo Kante for the central midfielder role, would end up at Juventus instead.
However, once United was quoted £50 million for England defensive midfielder Erik Diet by Tottenham, it switched its attentions back to Mastic and Chelsea relented.
Matic enjoyed a far happier second spell at Chelsea than his first one, winning the Premier League title twice and while never a prolific goalscorer he scored one of the goals of last season in the FA Cup semifinal win over Spurs at Wembley.
In all he scored seven times in 154 appearances for Chelsea.
"The Serbian departs Stamford Bridge having played a pivotal role in two Premier League title triumphs, as well as winning the League Cup with the Blues," said Chelsea in a long farewell statement.
"These trophies all came in his second spell at the club, after rejoining Chelsea in early 2014 to add steel and strength to the midfield.
"We thank Nemanja for his fantastic service and wish him well for the future."
Mourinho's spending my not over yet as he is known to cherish Croatian winger Ivan Periodic who is at Inter Milan but United baulked at the initial demand of £48.5 million although it hopes the Series A side might lower its price.
Whence France Pressed/ London
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar