Man Utd Announces Varane Signing

Raphael Varane of France in 2020
Raphael Varane of France in 2020. Photo by Paul Greenwood/BPI/Shutterstock (12172325ei)

Premier League club Manchester United officially confirmed the transfer of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for a fee of £41 million ($56.85 million). The 28-year-old player was unveiled as a United player prior to the Red Devils first game of the new Premier League season, during which they defeated Leeds United in front of a packed Old Trafford stadium.

Prior to his arrival in Manchester, Varane was the first-choice center back for Real Madrid, a team which he represented over the past 10 years. During his time with the Galacticos, Varane amassed four Champions League titles and three La Liga triumphs. He also remains one of the key players in the French national team, with whom he won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and progressed to the Round of 16 in the Euro 2020 competition which took place during the pre-season break.

“Manchester United is one of the most iconic clubs in world football and the chance to come here and play in the Premier League is something I couldn’t turn down,” Varane said after being unveiled as the Red Devils’ latest signing.

While many have speculated that Varane will be a replacement in the starting lineup for one of the club’s regular defenders, Manchester United captain Harry Maguire believes that Varane’s arrival will rather be used to bolster the squad’s depth. “We’ve got an amazing number of center-backs now,” Maguire explained. “All internationals who are all proven in the Premier League.”