Officially Official: Romelu Lukaku signs 5-year United contract

United’s new striker has also confirmed his new shirt number

After previously announcing that a fee had been agreed with Everton, Manchester United today made it official: Romelu Lukaku has signed a five-year contract with the club. The Belgian striker has already linked up with his new teammates at the first preseason training session in Los Angeles on Monday.

Manager Jose Mourinho said:

"Romelu is a natural fit for Manchester United. He is a big personality and a big player. It is only natural that he wants to develop his career at the biggest club. He will be a great addition to the group and I know they will make him very welcome. I am really looking forward to working with him again."

In his first interviews since joining the club, Lukaku seems excited about the move.

“The history, the players that play for the club and the way that the club is always hungry to win trophies. It is something that I want and it is something that I was searching for. For me it was the perfect opportunity to make the big step and as a club, when Manchester United comes and asks you to play for them then you do not say no.”

He also acknowledged the role that super agent Paul Pogba played in the decision to come to United.

“Of course he is one of my best friends and he is my neighbour as well. We are always together on a daily basis so he would explain to me how things were going. Last season when he signed for United, to have witnessed that, it really triggered something in my brain and I knew that if one day I had the chance to sign then I would not say no.”

Lukaku also confirmed his new shirt number for the coming season. United’s new no. 9 will be wearing...the no. 9, obviously.

“Strikers play with No. 9. It's a nice number, and I asked the permission of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I want to thank him, as well, for allowing me to wear that number.”

Check out the rest of Lukaku’s first interview with MUTV here.

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