Former Manchester United star Anthony Martial has completed a shock move to a European club.
The striker has been a free agent since leaving Manchester United in the summer at the end of his contract, after a nine-year stint at Old Trafford.
But Greek giants AEK Athens have announced the signing of the Frenchman as they wrote on X that the ‘wizard is coming’.
They also revealed that Martial will be arriving at the Athens International Airport at 8.40pm in Greece tonight, with fans expected to greet him upon his arrival.
Martial, 28, had previously been linked with a host of clubs – including Flamengo in Brazil – but is now set to play his football in the Super League in Greece.
Anthony Martial has completed a shock transfer to Greek side AEK Athens
Martial left Old Trafford in the summer at the end of his contract after nine years at the club
Martial, who has not played since December 9, 2023, will hope to re-ignite his career after a number of tough seasons at Old Trafford where he struggled for both form and fitness
SPORT24 previously reported that he was exchanging final documents with the club over a three-year deal.
Martial is said to be in line to earn £2.5million per season with AEK and the deal would have been announced on Monday night if not for a delay, as per SPORT24.
That deal, amounting to £7.5m in total including bonuses, would be the most lucrative in AEK’s history.
The three-year guarantee will have been persuasive as Martial’s talks with Flamengo reportedly broke down due to his insistence on that contract length.
Martial has been keeping himself fit over the summer, posting a photo of himself on an exercise bike, holidaying with his family, and going on a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France, writing on Instagram: ‘Thank you Lord for everything.’
He had been linked with a host of European clubs including Lille, Atalanta, Marseille and Besiktas.
At AEK Athens, he will link up with ex-Tottenham star Erik Lamela, former Watford players Roberto Pereyra and Nordin Amrabat, as well as ex-Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha.
Lamela was reportedly the club’s top earner currently on a deal worth a reported €2million (£1.7million) per year.
AEK Athens boast a handful of former Premier League stars in their current squad
Martial has been keeping himself fit over the summer and taking time out with his family
Martial was regarded as one of the most exciting young players in the world when he joined United in 2015, but failed to live up to expectations – scoring 90 goals in 317 appearances
Despite AEK busting the bank, Martial would be taking a sizeable pay cut from his terms at Manchester United, having been on £250,000 per week at Old Trafford.
Martial failed to live up to expectations after establishing himself as one of the most exciting prospects in world football when he joined Manchester United in 2015.
During his nine years at Old Trafford, he went on to make 317 appearances and scored 90 goals.
He made 19 appearances during his final season with the Red Devils, but has not played a single game since a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth on December 9.
AEK Athens are the third most successful team in Greece behind Olympiacos and Panathinaikos.
They are currently top of the Greek Super League with three wins and a draw from their opening four games, though they were knocked out of the Europa Conference League with a 3-2 aggregate loss to Armenian side Noah.
