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Anthony Elanga seals £15m switch to Nottingham Forest after leaving Manchester United
Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga has completed a transfer to Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £15 million.
The 21-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Forest, becoming the second signing of the summer for manager Steve Cooper, following Ola Aina’s free transfer.
Elanga had reportedly fallen out of favor under United manager Erik ten Hag, which prompted the move to Nottingham Forest. Despite interest from Everton, Elanga chose to join Forest, attracted by the opportunity to play under Steve Cooper. The young winger will be looking to make a significant impact at his new club and continue his development in the Championship.
He said: ‘It’s a pleasure to be here. It’s a proud moment, not only for me, but for my family as well.
‘It’s the perfect next step for me in my career, it’s a big step and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the Forest fans at The City Ground.
‘I had interest from elsewhere, but for me, Nottingham Forest feels like the perfect place.’
‘I’ve been here with United, and from the minute I stepped out for the warm-up, I could hear them from the changing room.
‘It’s a special place, but being here with Forest, I feel like it will be even more special.
‘I’m really ready for the challenge and I just want to embrace everything and get to work.’
The club’s Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson added: ‘Anthony had a number of excellent options in front of him to choose from so we are naturally delighted that from those he has chosen to become a Nottingham Forest player.
‘From the first meeting we had, he was so committed to all aspects of how he can continue to develop working with Steve on the pitch whilst he was also excited and embracing of the ambitions that Mr. Marinakis has for the football club.’
Bidding farewell to Elanga after leaving his boyhood club, United said they were ‘proud of the player and person you’ve become’.
The club said in a statement: ‘Anthony has been a fine role model and example for other members of the Academy, and leaves with our sincere best wishes for the future, after Forest won the race for his signature.
‘We would like to thank him for his service at United.
‘The transfer is for an undisclosed fee and we look forward to welcoming the winger back to Old Trafford, with his new team, on 26 August.’