Henrikh Mkhitaryan joins Manchester United on a four-year contract

Published July 6, 2016
“I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time.” — AP/File
“I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time.” — AP/File

MANCHESTER: Manchester United have signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund, the Premier League giants announced on Wednesday.

Mkhitaryan, 27, has penned a four-year deal with United with the option to extend the contract for a further year, the club announced in a statement.

“I am very proud to join Manchester United, this move is a dream come true for me,” Mkhitaryan told United's website after joining for a fee worth a reported 30 million euros.

“I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time,” the Armenian playmaker added.

“I am thankful for the trust the club and Jose Mourinho have put in me.

“Finally, I believe playing for such a great club honours my father's memory, and the inspiration and drive he gave to me when I was young.”

Mkhitaryan, whose father Hamlet was also a footballer, scored 41 goals in 140 appearances for Dortmund after joining them from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013.

He is Armenia's most successful player and has scored a record 19 goals in 59 appearances for his country.

Mkhitaryan is United's third pre-season signing and follows both Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly and star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Old Trafford.

“Henrikh is a very talented footballer who has been in such prolific form for both his club and his country,” said United manager Mourinho.

“He is a real team player with great skill, vision and also has a good eye for goal. I am delighted he has chosen to sign for United,” the Portuguese added.

“I believe he will make an impact on the team very quickly as his style of play is suited to the Premier League. We are all looking forward to working with him.”

United finished fifth in the Premier League last season, 15 points behind shock champions Leicester City, and failed to qualify for the Champions League.

That prompted the club to sack Dutch manager Louis van Gaal and replace him with former Chelsea boss Mourinho.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...