Inter Milan have signed former England international Ashley Young from Manchester United on a six-month contract, the Serie A club said on Friday.
Inter have an option to extend the deal for Young for a further season and he joins up with former Old Trafford teammates Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez. British media reports said Inter had paid a fee of 1.5 million euros (1.28 million pounds) to United.
Young, 34, who has converted to fullback after beginning his career as a winger, was out of contract at United at the end of this season.
“Ashley Young is officially an Inter player,” Inter confirmed on their official website.
“The 34-year-old English defender arrives from Manchester United and has signed a contract lasting until June 30 2020 with an option to extend for a further season.”
Young becomes the third English player to join Inter following Gerry Hitchens, who moved to the Serie A giants from Aston Villa in 1961, and former United midfielder Paul Ince, who spent two seasons with the Nerazzurri after signing in 1995.
?️ | INTERVISTA
Le prime parole di @youngy18 da nerazzurro! ⚫️?
? https://t.co/dFg586Hfur#WelcomeAshley #NotForEveryone #FCIM
— Inter (@Inter) January 17, 2020
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Friday that the club was not going to stand in the way of allowing Young to move to the Italian giants.
Ashley’s mindset was that he wanted to try a new adventure and he’s approaching 35 now. He’s done a fantastic job and he’s served this club fantastically, Solskjaer said.
“I think it was an opportunity for him that we had to say yes to. We got a transfer fee for someone who’s been so loyal to the club.”
Young began his career with Watford before moving to Aston Villa in 2007 and joined United four years later. He has been capped 39 times by England with his last appearance coming in the World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia in 2018.
? | ANNUNCIO@youngy18 è un nuovo giocatore dell'Inter! ✍️⚫️?
? https://t.co/gS37sSIvlM#WelcomeAshley #NotForEveryone pic.twitter.com/SUARAutGNn
— Inter (@Inter) January 17, 2020
Young played 261 times and scored 19 goals in his eight years at Old Trafford. He was one of the few remaining players from the Sir Alex Ferguson era. David de Gea, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Jesse Lingard are now the only players from United’s last Premier League-winning squad still at the club.
Ashley Young, who has been United’s club captain in recent seasons, won a Premier League winner’s medal in 2012-13, in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season as manager. He also picked up winner’s medals in the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League.
To @ManUtd: you gave me the chance to play with legends, to win trophies, to work under the greatest manager in history and to be your captain. Thank you for letting me be part of your story for eight and a half years ❤ pic.twitter.com/6ENXMEtjTG
— Ashley Young (@youngy18) January 17, 2020
He tweeted on Friday night:
“Very excited to join Inter and begin this new challenge. Can’t wait to get started.”
On the other hand, Inter added:
“As a keen campaigner against racism, Young has led from the front for Manchester United – recently wearing the captain’s armband for the past three seasons.
“However, he’s now ready for a new adventure and on behalf of the entire Nerazzurri family, we’d like to wish our new signing all the very best.”
United said in a statement:
“Everyone at the club would like to thank Ashley for his many seasons of service and to wish him well for the future.”
