The After having finally put pen to paper a five-year contract with the Red Devils, with an option for a further year, 27-year-old Cameroonian shotstopper Andre Onana is joyfully flapping his wings admitting that he’s ‘very excited’ to get to work after joining Manchester United from Inter Milan as he reunites with Erik ten Hag after previously working together at Ajax.
The £47.1m transfer earlier this week ended weeks of speculation over his future and Onana has already met his new team-mates and been roped into a training session right off the bat after jetting to New Jersey to join the Red Devils on their pre-season tour of America. In an exclusive sneak preview interview with the club, the Cameroonian revealed that it is a ‘big honor’ to play for the club.
“Thank you. How excited am I? I’m very excited. For me, it’s a big honour. It’s a big privilege to be a part of this big club, part of this family, for me it’s great,” Onana said.
“I’m really excited. I’m happy, and look, I’m really motivated and I’m really looking forward (to playing for Manchester United).”
The former Inter Milan No. 1 could be making his debut for the Red Devils against Arsenal on Saturday night when the two Premier League rivals go head-to-head in New Jersey as part of the Premier League Summer Series.
United’s new star keeper looks set to replace the void between the posts left by De Gea, revealing that the chance to play in the Premier League was irresistible.
“The important thing is to be honest and always tell people the truth,’ the former Ajax keeper said. ‘I am a person who always wants new challenges.
“Playing in the Premier League and for a club like United is irresistible. All parties wanted this to happen.
“But what matters is that, even if I had stayed, I would have been equally happy because I never had any problems at Inter. Indeed, a magic was born in Milan that is almost difficult to explain.”
Elaborating on how he felt about following in the footsteps of storied Man United goalkeepers such as Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van de Sar, and David de Gea, Onana added: “Being chosen to continue this tradition makes me proud and responsible: I want to win trophies with my new companions.”