Erik ten Hag has made his first signing as Manchester United manager after the club confirmed Tyrell Malacia had joined from Feyenoord on a four-year contract with the option of a further year. The fee is an initial €15m (£12.9m) with up to another €2m to follow in add-ons.
The 22-year-old left-back, who has a fast, dynamic style, will provide competition for Luke Shaw and Alex Telles, though Telles may be sold if United receive an appropriate offer.
“It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United,” Malacia said. “This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new teammates and a tremendous manager leading us. I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.”
John Murtough, United’s football director, said: “Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands. We look forward to seeing him continue to develop.”
Malacia is expected to be on United’s flight on Friday to Bangkok as part of Ten Hag’s squad for the start of the pre-season tour, but it is unclear whether Cristiano Ronaldo will join him. The 37-year-old wishes to leave United and cited family reasons after failing to return to training at United on Monday. United are unsure whether the situation will allow him to fly with the squad to Thailand.
Ten Hag’s first match against Liverpool as United’s manager has been moved and will be played on Monday 22 August at 8pm.