Former Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has spoken out after finally finding a new club.
Martial, 28, left Old Trafford in June, ending his nine-year stay at the 13-time Premier League champions.
He was a free agent for three months but is now set to return to the pitch after signing with a European powerhouse.
The Frenchman joined Greek club AEK Athens on Wednesday after being handed the biggest contract in the club’s history. He signed a three-year deal that will earn him £7.5million including bonuses, and revealed he can’t wait to get started.
“I am very happy,” Martial said after confirming his move. “AEK is an opportunity for me and I will do my best to achieve things, win trophies and bring joy to the world of the team.”
Former Man United striker Anthony Martial has signed a three-year contract with AEK Athens
Martial broke his silence after finding a new club three months after leaving Old Trafford
Martial immediately felt welcome at AEK after being mobbed by 2,000 fans upon landing at a Greek airport on Wednesday evening.
AEK have won 13 Greek titles in their history but finished second in the league last season. Hopefully Martial can help them get back on top of the table this time.
Martial has something to prove after a disappointing end to his time at United, which saw him score just one league goal in 13 games last season.
Injuries and inconsistent form have meant he has underperformed at the club in recent years, leading to him being loaned to Sevilla for the second half of the 2022-23 season.
He scored 90 goals in 317 games for United and left the club three months ago after failing to secure a contract extension.
Martial joins a club that has enjoyed a strong start to the season, taking 10 points from their opening four league games.
They will be back in action on Sunday and Martial could then make his first minutes for his new club.
However, his fitness could be a concern as he has not played at all since December due to illness, injury and a falling out of favour with Erik ten Hag at United.