Manchester United has secured the signing of Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce for a transfer fee of £4.3 million.
The 25-year-old, who has earned five caps for the Turkish national team, has inked a four-year contract with the club.
During the previous season, Bayindir played a pivotal role for Fenerbahce, aiding them in winning the Turkish Cup and achieving a second-place finish in the Super Lig.
Expressing his excitement about joining Manchester United, Bayindir said, “It is a huge honour to join Manchester United and become the first Turkish player to represent this incredible club,” said Bayindir.
“I have a passion for success, and I will give everything to help this special group of players to achieve our ambitions.
“I cannot wait to start working with such an experienced goalkeeping unit. We will support each other and drive high standards every day so that each of us is ready to perform whenever called upon.”
Bayindir’s arrival coincides with the departure of goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has moved to Crystal Palace in a £20 million transfer. Additionally, David de Gea, who served as United’s primary goalkeeper last season, left the club earlier in the summer after a 12-year tenure, while Cameroon’s Andre Onana was acquired from Inter Milan for £47.2 million.
Bayindir originally joined Fenerbahce from another Turkish club, Ankaragucu, in 2019, amassing 166 appearances and keeping 53 clean sheets during his time there.
John Murtough, the football director at Manchester United, praised the acquisition, stating, “Altay is an excellent addition to our squad and adds further quality to our already strong group of experienced goalkeepers,”
“Having consistently performed at a high level in a strong European league, he has the qualities to support us in achieving our ambitions across all competitions this season and beyond.”
Bayindir becomes Manchester United’s fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Onana, midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea, and striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta.
Additionally, the club is in negotiations with Fiorentina for the potential transfer of Moroccan midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and is close to finalizing a loan deal for Tottenham’s Spanish full-back Sergio Reguilon.
Despite speculation linking them with moves away from the club this summer, it is anticipated that England defender Harry Maguire and Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay will both remain at Old Trafford.
Source – Myjoyonline.com
