Youri Tielemans shirt number confirmed as Manchester United complete third summer signing | OneFootball

Belgian follows in footsteps of club legends

Manchester United have announced the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

The 29-year-old becomes the Red Devils’ third capture of the summer already, following Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow through the door.

The midfielder moved to Old Trafford for £35million, after United triggered a release clause in his contract at Villa Park.

He has signed a five-year deal until 2031 in the north west, and he will compete with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Santos for a place in the double pivot of Michael Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 shape.

Signed: Youri Tielemans

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He has been handed the No18 shirt, following on from sporting the No8 at Leicester City and Villa, his two previous teams in the Premier League.

Previous holders of the No18 shirt at United include Casemiro most recently, with the Brazilian departing upon the expiry of his contract earlier this summer, and the Brazilian is set to sign for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Before the former Real Madrid man, captain Bruno Fernandes wore the number before switching to his preferred No8, and Ashley Young and Paul Scholes also sported the number on their backs.

Tielemans joins United after winning the Europa League with Villa last season. The Belgian made 34 appearances in all competitions under Unai Emery last term, scoring twice en route to that European triumph. That included a goal in the final against Freiburg, which the Villans won 3-0.

The season before that, he missed just two league games for Villa, scoring three times and laying on seven assists.