Mason Mount will take the number seven shirt at Manchester United after completing his move to Old Trafford.
The England international's move from Chelsea has been made official, with United paying an initial £55m plus up to £5m in add-ons. He becomes United's first summer signing as manager Erik ten Hag readies his squad for Champions League football.
United's number seven shirt has been vacant since midway through last season, when Cristiano Ronaldo left the club. It had been suggested that Alejandro Garnacho or Jadon Sancho might take the number, but instead the new signing will take the iconic number previously worn by the likes of Eric Cantona and David Beckham.
It had previously been suggested that Mount would take the number 19 shirt, which he wore last season at Chelsea. Raphael Varane wore 19 for United last season, but some predicted he would take the number four shirt vacated by Phil Jones' exit.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Varane requested the number four shirt when he joined United from Real Madrid. However, Jones reportedly refused to give it up.
Varane has never worn the number four shirt at club level, taking 19 in his first Madrid season before switching to five for Los Blancos. However, he has worn four for France, and took the number for the 2022 World Cup during his country's run to the final.
“It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career," Mount said upon completing the move. "Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
“Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.
"I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
Mount missed the end of the 2022-23 season through injury, but could make his competitive debut for his new club on August 14 as United host Wolves in their Premier League opener. He will have to wait until December for a Chelsea reunion, with the first league game between his old and new clubs taking place at Old Trafford.
