Manchester United have confirmed their fifth signing of the summer in the form of long-term target Antony from Dutch giants Ajax.
United, who posted their second successive win on Saturday, beating Southampton 1-0 at St Mary's, had identified Antony as one of their top targets before this summer's transfer window opened. However, the Reds initially cooled their interest in the 22-year-old after Ajax slapped an eye-watering, big-money price tag on his head.
They revived their interest in the Brazil international over the past fortnight or so and have now announced that they've agreed a deal rising to €100million (£85.1m). He will sign a five-year contract with the option of an additional year.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag comments show why Alfred Schreuder is so angry about Antony and United
His arrival will bring their search for a new winger to an end, with manager Erik ten Hag having been determined to bring in a new attacking option all summer.
He becomes United's second-most expensive signing and, unsurprisingly, the price tag has raised plenty of eyebrows with the Brazilian only having made a name for himself in the Eredivisie.
Here's what you should know about Antony:
Who is he?
Antony is a 22-year-old Brazil international who predominantly plays as a right-sided winger. He was born in Sao Paulo and joined Sao Paulo FC at the age of just ten in 2010.
What has he done so far?
After eight years in the Sao Paulo academy, he was promoted to the first-team squad in 2018. Upon his promotion to the first-team environment in September of that year, he put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Brazilian giants, committing his future to the club until the summer of 2023.
Two months later, he was awarded his senior debut, appearing as a substitute during a 1-1 draw with Gremio. It was during the 2018/19 campaign that he first started to make a name for himself, scoring four goals and grabbing six assists in all competitions.
His performances at club level earned him call-ups to the Brazil Under-23s squad, for whom he scored five goals in 12 appearances before graduating to the first-team. In February 2020, Ajax came calling for his services, signing him in a record-breaking deal for Dutch football.
Former Ajax director of football Marc Overmars confirmed that the Amsterdam giants had signed him in a deal that "cost around €25million." His maiden season at Ajax saw him score a respectable ten goals and grab ten assists in all competitions. He improved his goals tally last season, scoring 12 times, while once again racking up ten assists. He has scored twice already this season.
On the international stage, the winger has amassed nine senior caps for Brazil, all of which came during the five-time World Cup winners' qualifying campaign for this year's tournament in Qatar. Antony also helped Brazil win Gold at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo. He grabbed an assist in the final as they beat Spain 2-1.
What has he won so far?
As well as winning Olympic Gold with Brazil last year, Antony has also won three major honours at club-level. He has won two Eredivisie titles and the KNVB Cup at Ajax.
He has also scooped two individual honours, winning the Eredivisie Player of the Month award in December 2020 and the Eredivisie Talent of the Month gong in December the following year.
What has Ten Hag said about him?
Considering Ten Hag has been so desperate to be reunited with Antony all summer, it is no surprise that the United boss has waxed lyrical about the youngster in the past, with the duo having worked together at Ajax.
Speaking earlier this year, Ten Hag said: "If Antony were to go, it would be a loss for Ajax, because you have no one in the current selection who can take over his position. He is top class."
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