Jadon Sancho is set to depart Manchester United as a free agent at the end of June, marking the conclusion of a five-year stint that began with a transfer worth €85 million ($99.98 million), the club announced on Wednesday.
Sancho was among United’s standout signings in the summer of 2021, alongside notable players such as Raphaël Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The English winger joined United from Borussia Dortmund, where he had made a name for himself in the Bundesliga since the age of 17.
However, his time at Old Trafford did not meet expectations, as Sancho recorded just 12 goals and six assists in 83 matches for Manchester United.
The 26-year-old returned to Dortmund on loan during the latter half of the 2023-24 season and participated in that year’s Champions League final, where the team lost to Real Madrid.
Sancho experienced two additional loan spells, one at Chelsea and the other at Aston Villa, where he achieved European success at both clubs, winning the Conference League with Chelsea and the Europa League last summer.
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Neither club was keen to retain Sancho on a permanent basis, with reports indicating Chelsea incurred a penalty fee as he reportedly declined to reduce his salary.
Sancho is among six players confirmed to be leaving Manchester United this summer, alongside Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia from the first team, as well as three academy players: Sonny Aljofree, James Bailey, and Malachi Sharpe.
A return to Dortmund for a third time could be a possibility as Sancho seeks to revitalize his career, especially considering the club’s sporting director Lars Ricken has previously mentioned they were “considering” the advantages of re-signing him.
Players released by Manchester United:
Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, Sonny Aljofree, James Bailey, and Malachi Sharpe