Stars in Europe - Belgium - Man United signed Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa
Manchester United completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, meeting the 29-year-old's £35m release clause on a five-year deal. He takes over the number 18 shirt vacated by Casemiro, who left Old Trafford when his contract expired.
In his words
"It's hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United," Tielemans said. "Signing for such a special club feels incredible. It is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football."
The résumé
Tielemans made his senior debut for Anderlecht at just 16 years and 82 days old, before moving to Monaco in 2017 and then Leicester City in 2019. He scored Leicester's winner in the 2021 FA Cup final against Chelsea, and last season netted for Villa in their Europa League final triumph over Freiburg. In total, he's racked up 668 appearances for club and country, with 79 goals from 578 club games.
The 2026 World Cup
Tielemans was central to Belgium's run, netting an 89th-minute equaliser against Senegal before converting the extra-time winning penalty, his 15th goal in 90 caps. His tournament ended early, though, after picking up an injury in the warm-up before Belgium's 2:1 quarter-final defeat to Spain.
The club's view
United's director of football Jason Wilcox called Tielemans "one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League" over the past seven years, praising his technical quality, ambition, and leadership.
The bigger picture
Tielemans becomes United's third midfield addition of the summer, following Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while a move for Atalanta's Ederson remains on hold.
Fact
Old Trafford's midfield gets a World Cup-tested upgrade.
Belgium
England