Argentinian Martinez joins Manchester United for $58 million

Manchester United have spent $58 million to acquire Argentine international defender Lisandro Martins from Ajax Amsterdam, the two clubs said on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old international defender, who contracted with the "Red Devils" until 2027 with the option to renew for an additional year, has played for Ajax since 2019 and played 120 matches with him, during which he scored 6 goals.

"It is a great honor to join this great football club," Martinis, a two-time Dutch champion under current United coach Erik ten Hag before his recent move to Old Trafford, told United.com.

"I worked hard to get to this moment, and now that I'm here, I will push myself even more" and "I've been fortunate enough to be part of the successful teams in my career, and that's what I want to continue at Manchester United."

"It will be a lot of work to get to that moment, but I firmly believe that with this coach and the coaches, and with my new teammates, we can do it."

For his part, United sporting director John Murto welcomed the arrival of the international defender (7 matches), who won the Copa America title with his country in 2021, saying, "Lisandro is a wonderful player who will bring more quality and experience to Eric (Ten Hag) squad."

"We are delighted that he has chosen to join Manchester United and we look forward to seeing him develop further and help the team achieve the success we are aiming for."

Ajax confirmed that it had reached an agreement with United on a transfer fee of $58.2 million (57.37 million euros), including variables, as the value of the deal could rise to 67.37 million euros in a record deal for a player from the Eredivisie.

Martinez, who started his career with Argentine club Newell's Old Boys and moved to his compatriot Devensa e Justicia, became United's third signing this summer after Dutch full-back Terrell Malacia and Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen.

United, who finished last season in a disappointing sixth place, start the new season with a meeting with its host Brighton on August 7.

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