The 22-year-old Cameroon international joins United on a long-term deal as the club continues its midfield rebuild.
Manchester United have completed the signing of Cameroon international Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion, strengthening their midfield with one of the Premier League’s highly rated young players.
The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a contract with Manchester United until 2031, with the club also holding an option to extend the agreement for another year. Financial terms were not officially disclosed, although reports indicate that United have agreed an initial fee of around £60 million, with additional payments potentially taking the overall value higher.
Baleba expressed his delight at moving to Old Trafford, describing the transfer as an opportunity to join the club he has dreamed of representing. He also highlighted the chance to play at the famous stadium and work under head coach Michael Carrick.
The midfielder arrives at Manchester United while recovering from an ankle ligament injury sustained during pre-season. However, reports in the British media suggest the problem is not expected to sideline him for a significant period.
Baleba joined Brighton from French club Lille in 2023 and quickly established himself as an important member of the Premier League side. Across three seasons, he made 112 appearances in all competitions, developing into a key presence in Brighton’s midfield.
During the previous Premier League campaign, Baleba featured in 31 league matches. His season was interrupted by international duty with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, further underlining his growing importance at both club and international level.
Manchester United had previously shown interest in Baleba after his breakthrough campaign. However, the club reportedly stepped away from a potential deal last year after Brighton placed a valuation of more than £100 million on the midfielder.
His arrival now represents another major step in United’s midfield restructuring. The club have also strengthened the area with the additions of Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans and Brazil international Andrey Santos.
The signing of Baleba signals Manchester United’s intention to build a younger and more competitive midfield for the coming seasons, with the Cameroon international expected to play an important role in the club’s long-term plans.