Man Utd send goodbye message as attacker joins La Liga giants in permanent transfer

Mateo Mejia has joined Sevilla in a permanent transfer, Manchester United have confirmed.

The 20-year-old, who never made a first-team appearance for the club, will link up with on-loan midfielder Hannibal after he also completed a move to Sevilla this week.

The Spanish side have not paid a fixed fee for Mejia but it will be determined via his success and performances on the field in Seville. A significant sell-on percentage from any future transfer has also been included in the deal.

Mejia is the seventh player to depart the club this window, but the first to exit in a permanent deal. Alvaro Fernandez, Maxi Oyedele, Donny van de Beek, Hannibal, Jadon Sancho and Joe Hugill have all departed on loan, in a month where United are aiming to reduce their wage bill.

Mejia has trained with the first team and was included in the squad that flew to the USA last summer on pre-season tour. The 20-year-old was also part of the youth team that faced Wrexham in San Diego.

This season, the Colombian youth international has been a regular part of the club’s Under-21 side and has missed just one league match. The promising winger registered three goals and five assists from nine Premier League 2 matches this term. Spanish-born Mejia joined United in 2019 from Real Zaragoza and penned a new contract last summer.

“We'd like to take this opportunity to wish Mateo all the best for the future - we'll be following your career with great interest,” United said via their website, as the news was announced on Wednesday.

The attacker's departure continues United's recent policy of aiming to move on youth players who are seen as unlikely to step up to the senior squad, with the likes of Matej Kovar, Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal sold last summer.

As for Mejia, he could make his debut on Sunday against table-topping Girona. Sevilla, the reigning Europa League champions, have endured a tough start to the season and sit just one point and one place outside the relegation zone in La Liga, and also finished bottom of their Champions League group.