Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer, with the Danish playmaker becoming the second signing under Erik ten Hag. Eriksen has signed a three-year contract reportedly worth £150,000 a week.
“Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started. I have had the privilege of playing at Old Trafford many times but to do it in the red shirt of United will be an amazing feeling,” the 30-year-old told the club’s official website.
Christian Eriksen is a RED! ✍️🔴#MUFC || @ChrisEriksen8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 15, 2022
“I have seen Erik’s work at Ajax and know the level of detail and preparation that he and his staff put into every day. It is clear that he is a fantastic coach. Having spoken with him and learned more about his vision and the way he wants the team to play, I am even more excited for the future.
“I still have major ambitions in the game, there is a huge amount that I know I can achieve, and this is the perfect place to continue my journey.”
Eriksen last played for Brentford on a short-term contract from January 2022, after recovering from a cardiac arrest suffered during a match at Euro 2020. The midfielder was instrumental in steering the Bees away from relegation, scoring once and providing 4 assists in 11 appearances. Brentford won 7 of those 11 games, including a stunning 4-1 upset of Chelsea.
Christian Eriksen was at his brilliant best for Brentford! 👏
What will he achieve with @ManUtd? pic.twitter.com/GSpMIc31rs
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 15, 2022
United’s football director John Murtough said, “In addition to his outstanding technique, Christian will add valuable experience and leadership skills to the squad, and we are looking forward to seeing the benefits of these qualities on the pitch this coming season and beyond.”
Eriksen, who was a youth player at Ajax, played 162 times for the Dutch side. He was bought by Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 for £11m. He spent seven seasons at the North London club, making 305 appearances and recording 69 goals and 90 assists.
In 2020, Eriksen moved to Serie A giants Inter Milan and won the league title in his first full season at the club. But, after he had an ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) implanted following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020, Inter and Eriksen were forced to terminate his contract at the club, as Serie A did not allow ICDs. He then trained for some time at Ajax, under Erik ten Hag, in order to regain fitness, before accepting the offer from Brentford.
Eriksen is one of the senior members of the Danish national football team, having played 115 times and scored 38 goals for his country. He has played in two World Cups (2010 and 2018) and two Euros (2012 and 2020). Although he suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark’s first game at Euro 2020 and was forced to quit the tournament, Denmark’s amazing run to the semi-finals and Eriksen’s recovery in hospital captured the love and respect of football fans around the world.