Man Utd confirm £9.6m exit over contract snub, add clever clause for Kambwala

Willy Kambwala has left Manchester United and joined Villarreal on a five-year deal.

United will receive an initial fee of £4.6million for the defender, rising to a potential total of £9.6m. As part of the deal, United have a buy-back option for three years and a sizeable share of any sell-on fee.

Kambwala had a year left on his current deal and had rejected United’s offer of a new contract. Kambwala joined United in 2020 from French Ligue 2 club Sochaux and made 10 appearances for the first-team.

"Dear @manchesterunited, I arrived at the club as a boy with a dream and today I'm leaving like a young man who has fulfilled his dream," Kambwala wrote on Instagram. "From the academy to the first team, it's time for me to start a new adventure after 4 wonderful seasons at the club.

"Thank you to all the people I have met during these 4 years. Coaches, my teammates, staff members, workers in Carrington and members of my host family. I'll never forget what you all did for me.

"A special thank you to you fans who have always supported me, you are the soul of this club. I wish you the best for this season and for the future." United released a statement and said: "Willy leaves with the sincere thanks of everyone at Manchester United, and our very best wishes for the next chapter of his career."

The 19-year-old made his United debut in December 2023 when he started alongside Jonny Evans in a 2-0 defeat to West Ham. His second Premier League start came in April this year when a defensive injury crisis saw him impress in a 2-2 draw with rivals Liverpool. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag branded Kambwala's performance against Liverpool "brilliant" and suggested he could have a big future at Old Trafford.

"We were convinced he could do the job and he has done brilliant," Ten Hag said. "I am very pleased, very happy and it is another signal and message of the future of Manchester United. This team, the squad has high potential and if we get more players available, especially in the backline, where we have 27 different organisations, across the season, then the future will be very good."

However, with United looking to sign two new centre-backs this summer it became clear Kambwala was unlikely to get many opportunities moving forward and he decided not to sign a new deal.

United have had multiple bids rejected for Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite, while talks are ongoing over a deal for Bayern Munich's Matthijs de Ligt. They have also had a £42m bid accepted for Lille starlet Leny Yoro, but the teenager is holding out for a move to Real Madrid instead.