Manchester United have completed the signing of Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £65m plus £5m in add-ons, with the 22-year-old midfielder describing the move as "an incredible feeling." The Cameroon international has risen rapidly from his youth academy days to one of the biggest clubs in the world in just four years.
From Cameroon to Old Trafford
Baleba's journey began at the Brasseries du Cameroun Football Academy, where he would run "non-stop" for hours daily and sprint between tyres near his home to improve agility, all under his father's supervision. He moved to French club Lille, then Brighton, and now Manchester United.
"It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams. Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour," he said when his transfer was announced.
Transfer details and injury update
United first enquired about signing Baleba last summer, but Brighton wanted more than the £115m they received from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo. A year later, the clubs agreed on £65m plus £5m in add-ons, a deal United chiefs believe represents brilliant value.
Baleba arrives with an ankle ligament injury, though he passed his medical without problems. The issue is not serious but is expected to keep him out until mid-September. The delay in announcing the transfer was due to paperwork; he was given permission to travel to Manchester on Saturday and dined at The Rex Hotel with his agent.
Club confidence and playing style
Jason Wilcox praised the signing in the transfer press release, saying: "Carlos is an elite midfielder with immense potential to develop further. He brings a unique combination of qualities that will really complement our squad."
Baleba's form dipped last season, which Fabian Hurzeler put down to transfer interest, but United have overlooked that campaign because they believe he can become one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League. "Mark my words, he will be a success," was the message from an industry insider when the news emerged.
His Premier League career started under Roberto De Zerbi, who gave him time to adapt. "He is perhaps not ready to play in the Premier League yet, but he will be a great Premier League player," said the Italian shortly after Baleba joined Brighton in 2023.
"The last gaffer, he helped me," Baleba said in an interview with The Guardian last year. "It's why sometimes he didn't put me on the pitch, to give me some time for my adaptation. When I got ready to play, he gave me the time."
In 2024/25, Baleba was one of just two central midfielders to top 34 kilometres per hour, while his 92 tackles and interceptions combined ranked him joint-sixth among central midfielders in the top flight. He scored four times for Brighton, celebrating with a backflip inspired by his father's advice on improving timing. United are confident they have signed the version of the midfielder who looked destined for the top.
