Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly has penned an emotional letter to the club and its fans after completing his move to Marseille.
The 28-year-old centre-back moved to France on a season-long loan deal and his contract has a € 6 million obligation to buy. The Ivory Coast star has the chance to return to Old Trafford next season but that would entirely depend on Marseille’s chances of qualifying for UCL next term.
As per the contract, the French club will be forced to sign the player if he makes a certain number of appearances and the club qualifies for the prestigious competition.
Bailly needed the move as he has been playing as a fifth-choice centre-back at United. The signing of Lisandro Martinez further pushed him behind the pecking order and it was more likely that he will move toward the exit door.
However, even after the defender didn’t have a fruitful career at Old Trafford, he has won three trophies at the club. The African star was signed by Jose Mourinho in the year 2016 for € 30 million. But he was never able to make more than 13 appearances in any of the five seasons after his first successful campaign.
Bailly has now written a letter to the fans expressing his gratitude towards the club as he completed his move to the Ligue 1 side. As stated by the Manchester Evening News, the 28-year-old said:
“For six years, this club has been my home. The club has inspired me to keep striving to be the best player I can be. I want to thank the club for making one of my dreams come true and most of all, I want to the teammates with whom I have shared a dressing room and all the professionals I have met. We are United.”
Bailly has been a good servant for the club over the past six years. Even if he didn’t perform at his full potential, he was a key part of the successful trophy-laden season in the year 2016/17. The centre-back will leave with three medals to his name and the fans will hope that the player achieves success at his new club.
Although the player has a contract with United that is running until 2024, there are chances that he may leave permanently. The move will depend on Marseille’s progress throughout the season.
We wish all the best to Eric Bailly for his new journey.
