Manchester United have completed the signing of England defender Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80 million, a world-record fee for a defender.

The 26-year-old has signed a six-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of a further year after passing a medical and agreeing to personal terms.

Maguire was strongly linked with both Manchester clubs over the summer, but Leicester held out for their valuation and the fee surpasses the £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil Van Dijk in January 2018.

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Maguire told his new club’s official website: ‘I am delighted to have signed for this great club. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past two seasons. However, when Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.

‘From my conversations with the manager, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team. It’s clear to see that Ole is building a team to win trophies. I am now looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting the season started.’

United had made strengthening the centre of their defence a priority at the start of the summer, with the need becoming more acute when Eric Bailly suffered a knee injury during their pre-season tour of China, which is expected to keep him out for at least four months.

 

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Thanks to everyone who has supported me and played a part in my career. I’m proud and honoured to join @manchesterunited . What an incredible football journey it’s been so far ⚽ . #thankyou #football #manchesterunited #manutd

A post shared by Harry Maguire (@harrymaguire93) on Aug 5, 2019 at 4:45am PDT

The deal represents a tidy profit for Leicester, who signed Maguire for an initial £12m – potentially rising to £17m with add-ons – from Hull in the summer of 2017.

The Foxes were in a strong negotiating position after the Sheffield-born player signed a new five-year deal in September.

Maguire could make his debut in Sunday’s Premier League opener against Chelsea at Old Trafford.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “Harry is one of the best centre backs in the game today and I am delighted we have secured his signature.

‘He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure – coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes. I can see he will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch.’