On This Day in 2019: Harry Maguire joins Manchester United

The fee was a world record for a defender.

Harry Maguire joined Manchester United from Leicester (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Wire)

Manchester United completed the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester for £80million on this day in 2019.

The England international, then 26, signed a six-year contract at Old Trafford with the option of a further year in a deal that involved a world-record fee for a defender.

Maguire was strongly linked with both Manchester clubs but Leicester held out for their valuation and the fee surpassed the £75million Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.

Maguire told United’s official website: “I am delighted to have signed for this great club. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past two seasons.

“However, when Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.

“From my conversations with the manager, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team. It’s clear to see that Ole (Gunnar Solskjaer) is building a team to win trophies.

“I am now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting the season started.”

Maguire has gone on to make 175 appearances for United, but it has not panned out how he expected when he made the move.

His switch to Old Trafford has coincided with a difficult few years for the club and he was only a bit-part player in new boss Erik ten Hag’s first season at the helm.

He has been stripped of the captaincy this summer and the subject of bids from other clubs.