Mason Greenwood Finally Departs Man United And Joins Marseille On A Permanent Transfer.

Marseille have officially completed the signing of Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood.

The Ligue1 club confirmed the signing on Thursday on a five-year contract, and the deal is reportedly worth £26.7 million ($35m) and includes add-ons and a 50 per cent substantial sell-on clause.

It is believed the transfer fee is a €26 million fixed fee, €5 million add-ons and a 50 per cent sell-on clause for the Red Devils.

"Olympique de Marseille are delighted to announce the signing of Mason Greenwood from Manchester United. The 22-year-old striker has signed for the club following a successful medical,” said the French club on their website.

Man United also confirmed the departure of the Greenwood who has left the club permanently to join Marseille.

The England international, who has not played for the Red Devils since being arrested in January 2022 after being arrested on suspicion of rape and assault, with Greater Manchester Police confirming the existence of "social media images and videos posted by his supposed girlfriend reporting incidents of physical violence.

He was subsequently charged to court, although the prosecutors dropped charges in February 2023 and the announcement that "new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction."

Greenwood has always denied the allegations.

"I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges, however, I fully accept I made mistakes in my relationship.” he said when he joined LaLiga's side Getafe last season on loan scoring ten goals and providing six assists in 36 games.

Upon his return to Old Trafford, the 22-year-old had a meeting at the Carrington training complex with the club’s new chiefs last week in which it was underlined that United’s priority was finding him a new club, rather than bringing him back into Erik ten Hag's team.

A club statement read: “We wish Mason all the best in his future career.”

Greenwood made his debut for Man United aged 17 years and 156 days in the Champions League in 2019 and his Premier League debut four days later. He made his debut for England in September 2020.

He leaves United after making 129 appearances and scoring 35 goals.

The forward now joins 1992 Champions League winners Marseille, and set to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who departed the club a day before and signed for Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah. The Gabon international was Marseille’s top scorer last season.

Greenwood will wear the No. 10 shirt for the Ligue 1 side. 

Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi, who left Premier League club Brighton after the 2023-24 season, said last week that he would hold no prejudice against Greenwood because of his past.

"Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet. I don't know what happened, but I am not used to get involved in my players' private life," he said.

"But if he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public."

Marseille face Sunderland in a pre-season friendly on August 3 in Bradford, where Greenwood was born.

If he plays it could be his first game in England since he was arrested in January 2022 following allegations made against him.

They will begin their 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign against Brest on the weekend of Aug. 17/18.