Man United complete signing of midfielder from Chelsea

Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Andrey Santos from rivals Chelsea. 

The Red Devils announced on Monday that they had signed the Brazilian from the Blues, with the player signing a long-term deal at Old Trafford that is set to run until the end of the 2030/31 campaign but also includes the option to extend by a further 12 months.

Santos, 22, joined the Blues from Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama back in 2023 and has since had loan spells with Premier League side Nottingham Forest and French top flight club Strasbourg, who are owned by the same group as Chelsea.

In total Santos made 47 appearances in all competitions during his time at Stamford Bridge, but the midfielder failed to ever establish himself as a regular starter in west London.

Santos played 47 times during his time with Chelsea (Photo: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy)

Santos started just 13 of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League games last season, as the Blues struggled and ultimately finished tenth in the top flight table during a chaotic season, as both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior were dismissed.

The Brazilian won the FIFA Club World Cup during his time in the capital, and is now set to feature in the Champions League for Man United this season.

Santos has been capped six times by his country at international level, having made his senior debut in March 2023, but he wasn’t included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the World Cup in North America this summer.

The central midfielder has become United’s first senior signing of the summer transfer window so far, although head coach Michael Carrick and those in charge of the club’s recruitment will likely want to make further additions to their ranks before the window shuts.