Carrick's first signing! Manchester United officially announces Santos' £50 million transfer, wearing the No. 17 shirt, with weekly wage details revealed at £100,000.

After much anticipation, Carrick's first signing as Manchester United manager has finally been completed. On Monday, the club announced that Andre Santos has arrived from Chelsea for £50 million, comprising £48 million guaranteed and £2 million in performance-based bonuses that are straightforward to meet.

Santos has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option to extend for another season. His weekly wage is £100,000, with £75,000 as basic salary and the remainder in bonuses tied to appearances, performance levels, and team results. The 22-year-old Brazilian was not selected by Ancelotti for Brazil's World Cup squad, so he can immediately join Carrick's training camp. He could make his debut as early as Saturday in a friendly against Championship side Wrexham.

After signing, Santos donned the red jersey and stepped onto the Old Trafford pitch with his wife and son, experiencing for the first time what it feels like to be a Manchester United player. Though still young, Santos has been married for three years—he wed his childhood sweetheart, Ingrid Freire, in Brazil in the summer of 2023. The couple already has two sons, with their youngest, Bryan, born in April this year.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea are satisfied with the deal. Santos joined Chelsea in January 2023 from Brazilian club Vasco da Gama for a fee of £10 million. The Brazilian midfielder did not make his Blues debut until last summer; after joining, he was first loaned back to Vasco, then sent to Nottingham Forest for playing time, though he saw limited action. Consequently, Chelsea loaned him to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, which is part of the same ownership group. During his 18 months there, Santos impressed, scoring 10 goals and even wearing the captain's armband.

Last season, Santos returned to Chelsea but initially struggled to break into Enzo Maresca's starting lineup. Fortunately, after former Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior took over at Chelsea, he gained more opportunities. Over the entire season, Santos made 27 appearances across all competitions, though only 26 were starts. In the Premier League, he started just 13 matches, accumulating fewer than 1,300 minutes of playing time. Therefore, Chelsea considered selling a backup player for £50 million a very good deal.

From Manchester United's perspective, Santos is strong both offensively and defensively, offering Carrick greater tactical flexibility. He will wear the Red Devils' No. 17 shirt, just as he did at Chelsea. The Brazilian midfielder has stated that he dreamed of playing for United since childhood: "Honestly, since I was a kid, I've dreamed of this moment. The history and responsibility carried by the Manchester United badge are exactly why I'm here. I can't wait to play with this team in front of the Old Trafford fans and create new memories."

Explaining what he can bring to the team, Santos said: "I will bring energy, increase competition, win the ball back for my teammates, and drive the team forward. I will give everything for the club. I'm very happy to be at Manchester United, and now I want to leave my name in the history of this great club. Everything about United is special, and it's incredible to join a team where my biggest idols have played."

In an interview with Manchester United, Santos revealed that his childhood idols include Brazilian legend Neymar, as well as United's Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. "If I had to pick one, I'd say Neymar," Santos said. "I know we play different positions, but Neymar is my idol. I watched him play since I was young, and when I met him in person, I was a bit nervous but really happy. I watched a lot of games as a kid, including United's. I remember Rooney, Ronaldo, and many other great players. Now I have the chance to play for the club—this moment means so much to me, my family, and my career."

In the past, Santos has admitted to admiring his recently departed Brazilian compatriot Casemiro, while United manager Carrick is also a midfielder he looked up to as a child. "As a midfielder, I'm really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Carrick—he's the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career and achieve my dreams," Santos continued. "Everyone has told me that the club is ambitious and that a great environment has been built here. I know the team is strong, and I can't wait to play alongside my new teammates and fight for the most important trophies."

Santos is especially looking forward to playing in the Champions League again, having made six appearances in the competition last season. "Wow, the Champions League! It feels like a dream, you know?" he said. "I've watched the Champions League since I was a kid—so many, many matches. Now I have the honor of playing in it for Manchester United, and I'm incredibly excited."

Manchester United's football director, Jason Wilcox, brought in Santos on the recommendation of transfer chief Christopher Vivell, who previously worked at Chelsea. Wilcox commented on the new signing: "Andre (Santos) is an outstanding midfielder with excellent technical ability, capable of controlling the game at both ends of the pitch. He is a player in a position we prioritized, and we're delighted he can join Michael (Carrick)'s squad early in preseason. Although Andre already has a wealth of experience and leadership qualities, having proven his talent at the highest level, he still has huge potential for development. We can't wait to see him shine at Manchester United."