Football: Pogba becomes world’s most expensive signing

By Huseyin Burak Demirer

ANKARA (AA) – French football star Paul Pogba became the most expensive signing in history Tuesday when Manchester United agreed a 105 million euro ($116.4 million) deal with Italy’s Juventus.

The 23-year-old left the English club on a free transfer in the summer of 2012. In addition to the initial fee, there will be bonuses related to his performance on the pitch.

The midfielder’s deal surpassed the money paid for Real Madrid duo Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo — previously the world’s largest signings. Bale joined from Tottenham Hotspur for 101 million euros ($112.1 million) in 2013 while Ronaldo signed from United for 94 million euro ($104.3 million) in 2009.

Pogba also broke Zinedine Zidane’s former record as the most expensive French player.

According to the German football database website Transfermarkt, the 10 most expensive signings in football history were:

Player

To

From

Season

Transfer fee (million euro)

1. Paul Pogba (France)

Manchester United

Juventus

2016-2017

105

2. Gareth Bale (Wales)

Real Madrid

Tottenham

2013-2014

101

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Real Madrid

Manchester United

2009-2010

94

4. Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)

Juventus

Napoli

2016-2017

90

5. Neymar (Brazil)

Barcelona

Santos

2013-2014

88.2

6. Luis Suarez (Uruguay)

Barcelona

Liverpool

2014-2015

81.7

7. Angel Di Maria (Argentina)

Manchester United

Real Madrid

2014-2015

75

8. James Rodriguez (Colombia)

Real Madrid

Monaco

2014-2015

75

9. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)

Manchester City

Wolfsburg

2015-2016

74

10. Zinedine Zidane (France)

Real Madrid

Juventus

2001-2002

73.5

ALATURKA AİLESİ ÜYELERİ NE DİYOR?