Former Manchester United star Anthony Martial has completed a shock move to a European club.
The striker has been a free agent since leaving Manchester United in summer, upon the expiry of his contract, after a nine-year stint at Old Trafford.
But Greek giants AEK Athens have announced the signing of the Frenchman as they wrote on X that the ‘wizard is coming’.
They also revealed that Martial will be arriving at the Venizelos airport at 8.40pm, with fans expected to greet him upon his arrival.
Martial had previously been linked with a host of clubs – including Flamengo in Brazil – but is now set to play his football in the Super League in Greece.
SPORT24 previously reported that he was exchanging final documents with the over a three-year deal.
Martial is said to be in line to earn £2.5million per season with AEK and the deal would have been announced on Monday night if not for a delay, as per SPORT24.
That deal, amounting to £7.5m in total including bonuses, would be the most lucrative in AEK’s history.
The three-year guarantee will have been persuasive as Martial’s talks with Flamengo reportedly broke down due to his insistence on that contract length.
Martial has been keeping himself fit over the summer, posting a photo of himself on an exercise bike, holidaying with his family, and going on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France, writing on Instagram: ‘Thank you Lord for everything.’
He had been linked with a host of European clubs including Lille, Atalanta, Marseille and Besiktas.
At AEK Athens, he will link up with ex-Tottenham star Erik Lamely, former Watford players Roberto Pereyra and Nordin Amrabat, as well as ex-Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.
Lamela was reportedly the club’s top earner currently on a deal worth a reported €2million (£1.7million) per year.
Despite AEK busting the bank, Martial would be taking a sizeable pay cut from his terms at Manchester United, having been on £250,000 per week at Old Trafford.
More to follow…