Manchester United has officially announced the departure of Eric Bailly, who has signed with the Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas.
Bailly, the defender who arrived at Old Trafford for a fee of £30 million in 2016, has faced a multitude of injury setbacks during his time at the club, which limited his appearances to just 113 across all competitions. During the previous season, Bailly was temporarily loaned out to Marseille, where he notably enjoyed one of his best campaigns in seven years, participating in 23 matches across various competitions, with 17 of those appearances taking place in Ligue 1.
In a significant development, Bailly has now made a permanent switch away from Manchester United, inking a one-year deal with Besiktas. This move follows in the footsteps of his former teammate Fred, who also opted for a transfer to the Turkish Super Lig earlier in the summer. Interestingly, sources reveal that the Ivorian defender had completed the transfer prior to his travel to Turkey, highlighting Besiktas' eagerness to have him registered in their Europa Conference League squad ahead of UEFA's deadline. His journey to Turkey is scheduled for Tuesday.
The official statement on Manchester United's website regarding Bailly's departure reads as follows: "Eric Bailly has left Manchester United to join Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas on a permanent transfer.
"His opportunities in subsequent seasons were limited by injuries and competition for places alongside fellow central defenders such as Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Marcos Rojo, and later Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Raphael Varane.
"Bailly’s last competitive appearance for United was in a 3-1 win over Burnley in December 2021, and he spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille.
"He is the second player to join a Turkish Super Lig club this summer after Fred’s transfer to Fenerbahce last month, while goalkeeper Altay Bayindir moved in the other direction when he joined United from Fenerbahce last week.
"Everyone at United thanks Eric for his contribution while at the club and wishes him all the best for the future."
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