Manchester United have completed the signing of Argentina international Lisandro Martinez from AFC Ajax for an undisclosed fee. The defender has signed a five-plus-one-year deal with the Red Devils, with the option to extend it by another 12 months.
The central defender has penned a contract with the club until the end of the 2026/27 season after they paid the Dutch champions a reported fee of 57 million pounds for his transfer. Arsenal were keen on the 24-year-old, but he chose a reunion with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag in Manchester instead of London.
Martinez has become United’s third signing of the season. Before tying down the defender, the Premier League giants secured deals for left-back Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and brought in former Tottenham and Inter Milan playmaker Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
Reports suggest that the club also has an agreement with FC Barcelona for the transfer of midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but the player is yet to green-light the move.
Also read 👉 Barcelona plan talks with Man Utd-linked de Jong; Xavi sees Dutchman as centre-back
Speaking to the club website, Martinez thanked his former club while laying down the marker for the season ahead with his new one.
“It’s an honor to join this great football club. I’ve worked so hard to get to this moment and, now that I’m here, I’m going to push myself even further.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of successful teams in my career and that’s what I want to continue at Manchester United. There will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that, under this manager and coaches, and together with my new teammates, we can do it.”
“I want to thank Ajax and their fans for all the support they gave me,”
the Argentine remarked.
Martinez joined the Dutch giants from Defensa y Justicia in 2019, becoming an instant starter under ten Hag. He played a variety of positions during his time in the Netherlands, collecting 120 appearances across three seasons and scoring six goals.
