September 11, 2026, 10:26 AM
Manchester United have completed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after activating a £35 million release clause in the Belgium international’s contract. The 29-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford, becoming part of Michael Carrick’s summer midfield rebuild.
Tielemans joined Villa on a free transfer from Leicester City in 2023 and had two years remaining on his contract, but the release clause allowed United to complete the move without prolonged negotiations. Villa were keen to retain the midfielder, though the clause left the club unable to prevent his departure once United made their move.
The midfielder said he had not expected to leave Villa during the summer and revealed that United had attempted to sign him on two previous occasions.
“There have been two times that I spoke with the club, but it did not achieve anything, so I was just very calm about it,” Tielemans said. “I was not expecting much, to be fair. I was just focused on my football and trying to perform as best as I could for my country at the World Cup.”
Tielemans brings substantial Premier League experience to United, having made 244 appearances across spells with Leicester and Aston Villa. He also arrives after a successful final season at Villa Park, helping Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Champions League and win the Europa League, with Tielemans scoring in the final.
United had already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth £48 million plus £2 million in potential add-ons. The Brazilian agreed a contract until June 2031, with an option for a further year, as Carrick and the club’s recruitment staff sought to add greater energy and depth to midfield.
United also pursued Atalanta midfielder Ederson, agreeing a £35 million fee before concerns over an injury issue emerged during his medical. The transfer was subsequently abandoned, with Tielemans becoming a key component of the club’s midfield reshaping instead.
Tielemans has already made a positive early impression at Old Trafford. His experience, technical quality and ability to control possession offer Carrick a different type of midfield option, whether operating alongside Santos or providing composure behind Bruno Fernandes.
The move reunites Tielemans with Marcus Rashford and Jonny Evans, former teammates from his time in English football, while also giving United a proven Premier League midfielder entering his prime. For Tielemans, the transfer represents a long-awaited opportunity to join a club he had previously come close to signing for; for United, it is a major step in their attempt to rebuild the centre of the team.
