Manchester United have confirmed that Jadon Sancho is Chelsea-bound afer completing a season-long loan move on late transfer deadline day after negotiations throughout Friday.
Jadon Sancho extended his thanks to the Manchester United fans, players and staff after completing the season-long move to Chelsea.
The move for Sancho, 24, was sealed late on transfer deadline day but it took until Saturday evening for an announcement to be issued. United shared a short statement confirming his departure, wishing the player well for the remainder of this season.
In their statement shared simultaneously, Chelsea confirmed that they are obligated to permanently sign Sancho once the summer transfer window opens next year. So the former Borussia Dortmund star and England international is still a United player according to his contract despite having already effectively left the club.
That was reflected in the message from Sancho on the social media platform X, which United also reposted, around 20 minutes after the move was announced. “Thank you to all the fans, staff and teammates [at Manchester United]. Wishing everyone all the best in the future.”
Sancho was also quoted in Chelsea’s statement. “I’m really excited to be here,” Sancho said. “London is where I grew up and I’m happy to be back.
“The manager [Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca] spoke to me about the project and, for a young player, it’s exciting. Hopefully I can bring goals and assists to the Bridge.”
Sancho scored 12 goals and assisted another six across 83 appearances for United since signing from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021. Four months of those three years were spent back on loan at Dortmund last year, during which time he scored three times and had as many assists.
His last appearance for United came in the Community Shield against Manchester City earlier this month, playing seven minutes after replacing Marcus Rashford as a second-half substitute.