Andre Onana joins Manchester United

Manchester United has made a significant addition to their squad, securing the services of goalkeeper André Onana from Inter Milan. The Premier League club officially announced the signing on Wednesday, indicating that the 27-year-old shot-stopper will be replacing the departing David de Gea as the new No. 1 at Old Trafford.

De Gea's 12-year stay at Manchester United came to an end earlier this month, as the Spaniard couldn't reach an agreement on a new contract. In light of this, United turned their attention to André Onana, finalising a deal reported to be worth €50 million ($56m). The Cameroonian goalkeeper has committed to a five-year contract with the Red Devils.

Onana expressed his excitement about joining Manchester United, calling it an incredible honour. He acknowledged the challenges he had to overcome throughout his career and is looking forward to the experience of defending the goal at Old Trafford and contributing to the team's success. The new chapter in his career involves working with manager Erik ten Hag once again, whom he had previously collaborated with during their time together at Ajax.

During his seven-year spell at Ajax, Onana clinched three Eredivisie titles, all under Erik ten Hag's leadership, before moving to Inter Milan on a free transfer in the summer of 2022. Despite facing a 12-month doping ban (later reduced to nine months on appeal) in February 2021, Onana made an impressive impact in his debut season at Inter. He played a crucial role in their journey to the Champions League final, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City, and also helped the team secure the Coppa Italia.

Manchester United's football director, John Murtough, emphasised that Onana was their top choice as the new goalkeeper due to his exceptional technical skills and winning mentality. They firmly believe that, at the age of 27, Onana has the potential to further develop and enhance the team's performance in the coming years.

Upon joining Manchester United, Onana will join Dean Henderson and the veteran Tom Heaton as the senior goalkeepers at Old Trafford. However, there are reports that once the Onana deal is official, Henderson will be allowed to join Nottingham Forest in a permanent transfer. Henderson spent the previous season on loan at Forest and is expected to finalise a £20m move to the City Ground.

With André Onana's arrival, Manchester United has made their second signing of the summer, following the earlier acquisition of midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea. The addition of Onana adds strength and depth to the team's roster, and fans are eager to see how he performs under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag in the upcoming season. As the new No. 1 at Old Trafford, Onana will undoubtedly be eager to create his own legacy and contribute to Manchester United's pursuit of success both domestically and in European competitions.