Ajax CEO Edwin van der Sar tells Manchester United fans to ‘take care’ of new signing Donny van de Beek

The Red Devils’ first signing of the summer scored more than 40 goals for Ajax

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has penned an open letter to the club’s fans, telling them to enjoy and “take care” of new signing Donny van de Beek.

The midfielder joins from Ajax, where Van der Sar is now the chief executive.

After the £34 million transfer was completed, Van de Beek expressed his intent to star at Old Trafford, while also explaining his poignant choice of squad number.

And Van der Sar urged United supporters to “help him dream” and make a success of his move away from his home club.

The Ajax chief said Van de Beek was the “embodiment” of Ajax “pride” and that there was no better place he could continue his development than Old Trafford.

Van de Beek played close to 200 times for Ajax and was a key part of their run to the 2019 Champions League semi-final, but stayed on one more season after Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong departed.

He joins United ahead of a campaign back in the Champions League, while they will also look to improve upon last season’s third-place finish in the Premier League.

In full, Van der Sar’s message reads:

Dear Manchester United fans,

I hope you’re doing well.

It seems our paths have crossed again. One of ours is joining you this season. And like so many players before him, he’s been with us since he was just a little boy.

Shortly after his debut, he became one of our best. Especially the last couple of years were amazing. From the Europa League final (no hard feelings) to our Champions League run and winning the Dutch Championship.

The team he was part of the showed the world who we are and what Ajax stands for.

Like you, we pride ourselves on being one of the best at developing talent and giving young players a shot at the highest level. You could say your new star is the embodiment of that pride.

That’s one of the many reasons we don’t like to see him leave, but we understand it’s time for him to move on. To dream on.

And where better to do so than in your theatre. Trust me, I know.

Please take good care of our Donny, and help him dream.

Enjoy the future.

Edwin van der Sar, CEO, AFC Ajax