Harry Maguire became the most expensive defender when Manchester United signed him on Monday for world-record fee of GBP 80 million (USD 97 million). Maguire moved from Leicester City after signing a six-year contract with United.
“Manchester United is delighted to confirm the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City,” the club said in a statement.
The 26-year-old said he was delighted at the opportunity and thanked everyone at Leicester City, including the fans, for their support the past two years. Maguire's fee surpasses the GBP 75 million Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk in January last year.
Maguire joined Leicester City from Hull City in 2017 and went on to make 76 appearances. He had signed a contract extension with Leicester till 2023. However, Maguire said that when “Manchester United come knocking”, it's an “incredible opportunity” to turn down.
Maguire is United's third recruit of the close season after they signed winger Daniel James from Championship side Swansea City and right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.
Here are the 10 most expensive defenders of all time (in GBP):
1. Harry Maguire
Leicester to Manchester United – 80 million
2. Virgil van Dijk
Southampton to Liverpool – 76m
3. Lucas Hernandez
Atletico Madrid to Bayern Munich – 68m
4. Matthijs de Ligt
Ajax to Juventus – 67.8m
5. Aymeric Laporte
Athletic Bilbao to Manchester City – 57m
6. Kyle Walker
Tottenham Hotspur to Manchester City – 53m
7. Benjamin Mendy
Monaco to Manchester City – 52m
8. David Luiz
Chelsea to PSG – 50m
9. Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Crystal Palace to Manchester United – 50m
10. Ferland Mendy
Lyon to Real Madrid – 47.1m
(With inputs from agencies)
