Pen on parer, new force in United's midfield: Tielemans officially lands at Old Trafford

Manchester United have completed the signing of Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, with the Red Devils triggering the 29-year-old's £35 million release clause to secure his services on a five-year contract.

The move ends weeks of speculation over Tielemans' future and hands Michael Carrick another major addition as United continue rebuilding their midfield ahead of the new season.

"It's hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United," Tielemans said after signing his contract.

"Signing for such a special club feels incredible. It is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football."

Tielemans arrives at Old Trafford after three impressive seasons with Aston Villa and following another strong campaign with Belgium at the FIFA World Cup, where he helped his country reach the quarter-finals before missing the defeat to Spain after suffering an injury during the pre-match warm-up.

The experienced midfielder also produced one of the tournament's memorable moments by scoring a dramatic extra-time penalty winner in Belgium's thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal.

Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox believes the club have secured one of the Premier League's most reliable midfielders.

"Youri has consistently been one of the most outstanding midfielders in the Premier League throughout the past seven years," Wilcox said.

"He has all of the technical qualities, as well as the ambition and mentality, to thrive at Manchester United.

"His consistency is exceptional, and he will add further composure, creativity and leadership to our squad."

Tielemans first arrived in England when he joined Leicester City in 2019 before moving to Aston Villa in 2023. During his time in the Premier League, he established himself as one of the division's finest midfielders, famously scoring Leicester's winning goal in the 2021 FA Cup final before later helping Villa lift the UEFA Europa League.

Still only 29, Tielemans already boasts remarkable experience, having played 668 senior matches for club and country since making his professional debut for Anderlecht at just 16 years old.

He becomes United's latest signing of the summer after the arrivals of midfielder Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while the club's pursuit of Atalanta's Ederson remains on hold.