MANCHESTER — Manchester United have signed Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from German club Borussia Dortmund. The 27-year-old joins United for an undisclosed fee on a four-year deal, with the option of a further year.
The Armenia captain was the 2015-16 Bundesliga player of the season and scored 23 goals in all competitions. “Henrikh is a real team player with great skill, vision and also has a good eye for goal,” manager Jose Mourinho told United’s official website.
“I am delighted he has chosen to sign for United. I believe he will make an impact on the team very quickly as his style of play is suited to the Premier League. We are all looking forward to working with him.”
Mkhitaryan, 27, made 140 appearances and scored 41 goals for Borussia Dortmund after joining them in 2013. Last season he scored 23 goals and registered an impressive 32 assists across all competitions. Henrikh was voted Bundesliga Player of the Season for 2015/16 in a poll of his fellow professionals, and he was named in the Team of the Season following votes by the players’ union in Germany, VDV.
Mkhitaryan said he is “very proud” to sign for Manchester United, adding: “This move is a dream come true for me. I am excited to play for a club with such an illustrious history and hope to be part of it for a long time. I thank the trust the club and Jose Mourinho have put in me. Finally, I believe playing for such a great club honours my father’s memory, and the inspiration and drive he gave to me when I was young.”
Henrikh Mkhitarya also addressed a message to everyone at Borussia Dortmund after signing for Manchester United thanking them for all their support last three years:
Liebe fans,
Dear friends,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Borussia Dortmund – from the administration, to the coaching staff and of course all the amazing fans – for the love and support you have given me in the past seasons. I will never forget the moments we shared together on and off the pitch over the last three years and I feel truly privileged to have represented such a great club and a great city.
When I think back to my roots and my father’s football career, I was taught to embrace new challenges and I felt that in order to honour my family’s legacy, I had to take this step in my career and join Manchester United.
Thank you once more for all the memories. You will always have a special place in my heart.
With Love,
Micki