Manchester United have signed midfielder, Mason Mount from Chelsea in a £60m transfer.
Utd had twice seen transfer bids for Mount declined by Chelsea despite the 24 year-old snubbing fresh contract offers in West London, which led to both clubs eventually agreeing to serious conversations which has culminated in a £60m transfer deal being struck.
As part of the deal, Utd will pay an initial £55m transfer fee up front followed by £5m in add-ons in relation to various clauses inserted within the deal.
Mount meanwhile has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford until June 2028 with an option to extend for a further year, bringing his 18-year spell at Chelsea to a close where he scored 33 goals in 195 appearances since he graduated to the senior squad in August 2019.
Speaking about his decision to move to Man Utd, Mount commented: “It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career.
“Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
“”Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.
“I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.”
Utd’s Director, John Murtough added that Mount “is an extremely intelligent footballer and has so many fantastic technical qualities that will significantly add to our squad.”
Murtough went on to add that Utd are “delighted” that Mount has decided to move to Old Trafford with his “style of play and attributes” proving “a perfect fit for this squad,” as Ten Hag looks to build upon the positives of last season.
Murtough also iterated that Mount can help improve Utd’s midfield quality as he continued: “Mason himself is a world-class player but he also has the ability to improve the players around him through his game intelligence and tactical awareness.”
Chelsea Chairman, Todd Boehly alongside co-controlling owners, Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano meanwhile paid tribute: “Mason is a consummate professional and a popular figure at the club. We want to thank him for all his efforts on and off the pitch throughout his time at Chelsea.”
During his time at Chelsea, Mount helped the Blues to seven honours in total across youth and senior levels.
At youth level, Mount was part of the Chelsea Under-18s squad which won 2015-16 UEFA Youth League plus that season’s FA Youth Cup, of which they defended the latter title in 2016-17 campaign alongside triumphing in U18 Premier League that year.
Mount went on to spend 2017-18 and 18-19 seasons out on loan at Vitesse and Derby respectively, where he scored 25 goals in 83 appearances, before he established himself in Chelsea’s first-team as they won 2020-21 UEFA Champions League and Super Cup titles plus FIFA Club World Cup.
The 24 year-old also was called up to England’s senior squad in October 2018 but had to wait 11 months before he earned his first international cap, from which he has went on to score five goals in 36 international senior appearances.