Manchester United have completed the £73.7m signing of forward, Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
Sesko had been the subject of interest from Arsenal in the last year but the Gunners selected not to make a bid for the 22-year-old, which paved the way for Newcastle United to make a £78m bid including add-ons that RB Leipzig selected to accept.
Man Utd however submitted a lower bid of £73.67m – consisting of a £66.3m fixed fee plus £7.37m in add-ons which satisfied the Bundesliga club to allow Sesko to make the switch to his preferred club, despite missing out on the higher offer made by Newcastle.
Sesko has signed a five-year contract until June 2030 and is excited about the club’s future as the Red Devils rebuild under Ruben Amorim, whilst planning for a future stadium move.
“The history of Manchester United is obviously very special but what really excites me is the future.
“When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon.
“From the moment that I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created. It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions.
“I cannot wait to start learning from Ruben and connecting with my team-mates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together.”
Sesko also issued a farewell message to RB Leipzig supporters via the German club’s website as he thanked the club and fans for their support over the last two seasons.
“Thank you to everyone at RB Leipzig and to the fans for the last two years. I will take several special memories with me, such as my first goal at the Red Bull Arena, my last goal at home against FC Bayern or our Supercup triumph in Munich.
“I’m extremely grateful to the club and its management for providing me with the optimal conditions to continue my development. Making the move from Salzburg to Leipzig and the Bundesliga was the best decision I could have made.
“The Red Bulls will forever have a place in my heart and I will be sure to keep tabs on how the club and my former teammates are doing. Einmal Leipzig, immer Leipzig!”
Sesko began his career at Radece where he enjoyed two spells in their youth academy either side of a stint at Rudar Trbovlje, followed by with Krsko then Domzale, prior to a move to Austria’s RB Salzburg in June 2019.
He however spent much of the following two seasons on loan at FC Liefering where he managed 22 goals in 44 appearances, amidst his Salzburg debut in January 2021 as they won the Austrian Bundesliga title.
Upon his return to RB Salzburg in summer 2021, Sesko proceeded to net 29 goals in 78 appearances across the following two seasons as the club achieved two more league titles plus 2021 -22 Austrian Cup.
July 2023 saw Sesko complete a move to RB Leipzig – which was agreed in August 2022 – and has now left after two seasons in which he contributed 39 goals in 87 appearances plus was part of their 2023 DFL Supercup winning team.
Since 2021, Sesko has represented Slovenia’s Men National Team with 16 goals in 41 appearances since his debut in June 2021 in a 1-1 friendly draw against North Macedonia.
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