Manchester United have completed the signing of Serbia international midfielder Nemanja Matic from rivals Chelsea, his new side have announced.
The midfielder, who turns 29 tomorrow, joins on a three-year deal with a clause to extend it by a year after playing 121 Premier League games for Chelsea, scoring four goals, including some spectaculars.
The Serbian made 30 starts in Conte’s first season at Stamford Bridge, with Spaniard Cesc Fabregas largely playing second fiddle to Matic as the club’s central midfielders battle for a spot alongside Frenchman N’Golo Kante.
And while the Blues’ upcoming campaign will be far busier than last season, due to having qualified for the UEFA Champions League, the arrival of Tiemoue Bakayoko puts Matic’s long-term future at the Bridge in doubt.
For United’s part, Portuguese Jose Mourinho will be reunited with a player whom he bought during his previous spell at Chelsea and will look to Matic to provide much-needed depth in a team that he feels is still not complete.
Jose Mourinho told ManUnited’s official website: “Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a Jose Mourinho player. Matic represents everything we (United) want in a footballer; loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.
