- Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have both joined Manchester United
- De Ligt has said an emotional goodbye to Bayern Munich after his transfer
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Matthijs de Ligt has bid farewell to Bayern Munich fans with a heartfelt message on social media after Manchester United completed the £60million double transfer of the Dutch defender and Noussair Mazraoui from the German giants.
De Ligt, 25, played two seasons at the Allianz Arena, winning the Bundesliga title and the German Super Cup.
De Ligt was out of the starting line-up several times during the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury, with Thomas Tuchel preferring Dayot Upamecano, Eric Dier and Kim Min-jae.
However, Bayern fans showed their disapproval of the transfer with a petition that has garnered over 70,000 signatures. De Ligt posted a thank you message to the supporters on Instagram on Tuesday evening.
De Ligt wrote on Instagram: ‘Dear Bayern fans, I want to thank you all for all your love and support.
Matthijs de Ligt signed a five-year contract with Manchester United on Tuesday evening
He posted an emotional farewell message to Bayern Munich fans after leaving the club
“I played two great years for this wonderful club. It was a real honour to play for a club like Bayern Munich. We experienced unforgettable moments together.
‘Winning the title and several great CL nights. These memories will stay with me forever.
“That’s why leaving this club feels doubly sweet. I will always remember the love and support I have received from the players, staff and fans. The recent petition signed by so many of you has touched me deeply.
“Thank you all for the two great years. I wish FC Bayern every success in winning many more titles, as Bayern has always done. Mia San Mia.”
De Ligt has now been reunited with United manager Erik Ten Hag, under whom he played at Ajax, after they agreed a five-year contract with an option for a further year.
De Ligt reunited with Erik ten Hag (left), under whom he previously played at Ajax
He strengthens United’s central defence after the departure of Raphael Varane, while fellow signing Leny Yoro is also likely to be out for three months with a foot injury he sustained in pre-season against Arsenal.
Mazraoui, 26, also played under Ten Hag at Ajax, winning three national titles with the Dutch club and another with Bayern.
The Moroccan defender also played 28 international matches for his country and reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
