Matthijs de Ligt has penned a letter to Bayern Munich supporters after leaving the club to join Manchester United for a fee of around 50 million euros.
Bayern Munich confirmed the departures of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui on Tuesday, with the duo joining Manchester United for a combined fee of around €70 million. The Dutch center-back has signed a five year contract with the English Premier League side. And before completing his move, he paid tribute to the Bayern supporters.
Leaving Bayern Munich feels bittersweet: Matthijs de Ligt on Manchester United transfer
In an Instagram post, de Ligt said, "Dear Bayern fans, I want to thank each and everyone of you for all your love and support. I have spent two amazing years playing for this beautiful club. It has been a true honor to have played for a club like Bayern Munich."
"This is why leaving this club feels bittersweet. I will always remember the love and support I have received from the players, the staff members, and from the fans. The recent petition signed by so many of you has touched my heart. I wish FC Bayern good luck and many more titles, like Bayern has always done."
Bayern's decision to part ways with de Ligt this summer came as a bit of a surprise as he was arguably the club's most consistent center-back during the second half of last season. But with a defensive surplus in the first-team, those in charge had to make a tough call.
Many Bayern Munich fans were against the club's decision to sell de Ligt, and some even started a petition that ended up receiving more than 70,000 signatures.
At Manchester United, de Ligt will reunite with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, and will hope to make his mark in the English Premier League after experiencing plenty of ups and downs during his two seasons with Bayern Munich.