Ashley Young has completed a transfer from Manchester United to Serie A alongside Inter Milan, the clubs announced on Friday.
Thanks for everything #MUFC, @Youngy18🔴
I wish you good luck with Inter Milan! pic.twitter.com/q8wIOmZ6Xn🇮🇹
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 17, 2020
The 34-year-old defender’s new deal lasts until the end of June with an option to extend for another season. Sources told ESPN that United accepted an offer of around 1.5 million euros for Young, who joined Aston Villa in 2011.
In a series of tweets, Young thanked United fans, saying: “You gave me the chance to play with legends, win trophies, work under the biggest manager in history and be your captain. Thank you for letting me be part of your story for eight and a half years.
“Every time I walked the field wearing your shirt, I gave you my everything. Thank you for your support during the ups and downs. I leave as one of you, see you again in a far end soon.
⚫️🔵 PHOTOS@youngy18#WelcomeAshley pic.twitter.com/7D3oqp8N3z#WelcomeAshley #NotForEveryone 📸
— Inter (@Inter_en) January 17, 2020
Young, who in recent years has mostly played at left-back but can also play on the wing, joins former United team-mates Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez at San Siro.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hoped to keep Young, who was named captain of the club in the summer after the departure of Antonio Valencia, at least until the end of the season.
The England defender has rejected an offer of a new contract to extend his stay at Old Trafford, but instead inform club leaders of his desire to travel to Inter.
With Young’s departure, Solskjaer confirmed on Friday that Harry Maguire would be the team’s new captain. Norweigan’s boss insisted there was no hard feelings about Young’s exit.
“To be fair, I think it was for Ashley, he’s 35 in the summer and if he gets a two-year contract somewhere, I think it’s up to him to take that,” Solskjaer said. “We weren’t ready to offer that. He’s been a good servant, captain, he’s won trophies, cups, but we’ve got players coming in.
Young made 261 appearances for United, but was left out of the last three game day teams amid the uncertainty surrounding his future.
During his eight-and-a-half years at United, he won the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup.