Brazilian joins from Chelsea as club’s first signing in a summer of midfield rebuild
Andrey Santos is ready to “compete”, to “win the ball” and “drive the team forward” after completing a £50m move to Manchester United.
The midfielder joins from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £48m, with a further £2m in bonuses and a 10% sell-on clause for his former club.
The 22-year-old Brazil international has signed a contract until June 2031, with the option of an additional year, and he will wear the No 17 shirt previously worn by Fred. His arrival is the first confirmed in United’s summer rebuild in midfield.
The centre of the park has been a priority for the club for years but was made even more urgent this summer by Casemiro’s departure and the knee ligament injury suffered by Manuel Ugarte while representing Uruguay at the World Cup.
Santos arrives after making 43 appearances for Chelsea last season. Among Premier League midfielders under the age of 22, he finished the campaign with the highest pass-completion rate and the most progressive passes per 90 minutes.
He also started 13 league matches and was part of Chelsea’s Club World Cup-winning squad in 2025.
“To be honest, since I was young, I dreamed of this moment,” Santos said. “The history and the responsibility that comes with that, that’s why I am here. I cannot wait to play in front of these fans, alongside this team and help create new memories.
“I am here to bring energy, to compete, to win the ball, drive the team forward, and give everything for this club. Now, I am going to make my name in the history of this big, big club.”
United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, said the club believed Santos could make an immediate impact while continuing to develop.
“Andrey is an outstanding midfielder with excellent technical qualities and the ability to impact the game at both ends of the pitch,” Wilcox said.
“Despite already having extensive experience, leadership abilities and proving his talent at the highest level, Andrey still has enormous potential to develop further, and we cannot wait to see him flourish at Manchester United.”
Capable of playing as either a holding or box-to-box midfielder, Santos attracted interest from several clubs before United secured his signature. He joined Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in January 2023 and, after a brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest, spent 18 months on loan at Strasbourg, where he captained the French side on several occasions and contributed 11 goals and five assists during the previous season.
United are also expected to complete the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa after triggering his £35m release clause, having shelved a proposed move for Atalanta’s Ederson despite agreeing personal terms and a transfer package last month.
The club are also close to signing goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer following his departure from Leeds United.
