Mason Mount has been given the iconic No 7 shirt last worn by Cristiano Ronaldo after completing his big-money transfer from Chelsea to Manchester United on Wednesday.
The midfielder has penned a five-year contract on £250,000-a-week, keeping him at Old Trafford until 2028, with the option of a further year. United will pay £55m plus a possible £5m in add-ons for the Englishman, who they believe is now entering his prime years at the age of 24.
Shortly after announcing the signing, United then revealed Mount will wear the iconic No 7 shirt, previously worn by David Beckham, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona and George Best.
Mail Sport sources say that Mount fits the mould of a dynamic energy player wanted by manger Erik ten Hag, who was heavily involved in the process of the transfer. The Dutchman has already given Mount a clear vision of how he will fit into the team next season.
Mount wore the No 19 shirt – currently taken by Raphael Varane – while at Chelsea, where he was crowned Player of the Year for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, also helping them to a famous Champions League victory in 2021.
Mason Mount has signed a five-year deal at Man United worth £250,000-per-week
The Englishman has been given the iconic No 7 shirt, following in the footsteps of several Old Trafford legends
The No 7 shirt was last worn by Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United before he left last year
Adding to his £60m transfer fee, Mount will undoubtedly face increased pressure having taking the No 7 shirt.
A number of players have struggled in the No 7 jersey in recent years, including Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay. Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia too have worn the strip.
The midfielder insists he is ready for the challenge, though. After signing the deal with his new club, he said: ‘It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career.
‘Having competed against them, I know just how strong a squad it is that I’m joining, and I can’t wait to be part of this group’s drive to win major trophies.
‘Everyone can see that the club has made big steps forward under Erik ten Hag. Having met with the manager and discussed his plans, I couldn’t be more excited for the seasons ahead, and am ready for the hard work expected here.
‘I am hugely ambitious; I know how amazing it feels to win major trophies and what it takes to do it. I will be giving everything to experience that again at Manchester United.’
Mount was pictured arriving at Old Trafford in his Manchester United gear on Wednesday
The midfielder was all smiles after his £60m transfer from Chelsea was finally announced
Mount was all smiles as he arrived at United’s Carrington base on Wednesday, dressed in his new club’s attire.
The midfielder, upon completing his transfer, ends an 18-year spell at Chelsea, which began when he joined the academy as a six-year-old.
His spell at the club turned sour after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club to Todd Boehly in 2022, with the team struggling under the upheaval and mass changes to both player and staff personnel.
Their 12th-placed finish in the 2022-23 campaign, coupled with the lure of playing Champions League football with United on more than double his salary, proved strong enough for him to leave the club he has supported as a boy.
The player was on the books at Chelsea for his entire career, although he spent time away on loan to Derby in 2018-19 and Vitesse Arnheim in 2017-18, and won the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup with the Blues.
Erik ten Hag played a key role in the capture of Mount, who becomes his first summer signing
In a farewell message to Chelsea fans, Mount said: ‘Hi Chelsea fans, given the speculation over the last six months, this may not come as a surprise to you. But it doesn’t make it any easier to tell you I’ve made the decision to leave Chelsea.
‘I feel you deserve more than just a written statement so I wanted to tell you directly how grateful I’ve been for all of your support over the last 18 years.
‘I know some of you won’t be happy with my decision but it’s what’s right for me at this moment in my career.
‘I joined Chelsea when I was six years old and we’ve been through a lot together, winning the Youth Cup, my player of the year awards, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and of course that unforgettable night when we won the Champions League.’
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