Manchester United completed the signing of Atalanta winger Amad Diallo on Thursday, a deal which had been pending since last year due to the lack of correct paperwork.
The Red Devils had agreed to a fee for the 18-year-old, which could rise to £37m ($50m) with add-ons, back in October. But it got stalled due to a work permit and negotiations of personal terms.
However, United got hold of Diallo’s Governing Body Exemption this week after they applied for it on January 1. That has now made him the first player to be signed and registered under the new FA rules implemented post-Brexit.
Diallo also flew to Rome earlier this week to get his visa. He can join the camp at the Old Trafford as soon as his visa gets approved. Reportedly, he won’t need to quarantine as he has already been part of Atalanta’s bubbles, and that makes him exempt from the Government protocols.
The teenager has already made two first-team appearances for Atalanta and he has signed a contract till 2025 with Manchester United. But it can be extended for another year more of both parties want.
“As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game,” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said speaking on Diallo’s arrival.
“Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.
“It will take time for him to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition. He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come.”
Diallo is also very excited with the opportunity and he can’t wait to join his new club.
“After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United. I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club.
“This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game. The coaches have been fantastic since I signed, we have been in touch regularly and they have already given me a lot of great advice.
“I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club.”
He is expected to fly to the UK soon and then a decision will be made on how to ease him into the squad.
