1 day Ago By [email protected] (Jacob Leeks)
Anthony Martial was greeted by 2,000 celebrating AEK Athens fans as he landed in Greece to complete his move to the capital city club. Martial left Manchester United at the conclusion of his contract following the end of last season. The Frenchman has been on the search for a new club ever since, with a number of sides showing interest in the attacker.
That is despite the 28-year-old having struggled to live up to his potential at Old Trafford. He fell out of favour towards the end of his time at the Red Devils, making just seven starts in all competitions in the entirety of last season. Even so, his arrival into AEK has been celebrated by the Greek club's supporters.
The team invited supporters to welcome their new signing when he landed at Athens International Airport at 8.40pm local time. More than 2,000 people duly turned up to welcome Martial to his new side.
The Frenchman stepped off a private jet to hold up an AEK scarf before he was shepherded to a waiting car. The vehicle was surrounded by fans letting off flares as it snaked its way through the crowd. The fans serrenaded Martial with songs about AEK and also waved club flags before the car was able to escape the crowds.
It is understood that Martial has signed a three-year deal to join AEK, with the deal set to be officially announced in the coming days. AEK chiefs have sanctioned the most expensive contract in the club's history to secure the Frenchman. HAVE YOUR SAY! Is AEK Athens a good move for Anthony Martial? Comment below .
Martial is set to be paid £2.5million per season during his time in the Greek capital. It still represents a sizeable pay cut for the attacker, who was understood to be earning £250,000 per week at United.
He will now link up with with ex-Tottenham star Erik Lamela, former Watford players Roberto Pereyra and Nordin Amrabat, as well as former Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha at Agia Sophia Stadium. Martial has been keeping himself fit during his summer-long search for a new club. During his nine years at United, the Frenchman made 317 appearances in all competitions and scored 90 goals.
But he has not played a game for any team since 9 December, when United lost 3-0 to Bournemouth . Martial will hope to enjoy a more successful stay in Athens, with AEK being Greece's third most successful team. They currently sit top of the Greek Super League with three wins and a draw from their opening four games, though they were knocked out of the Europa Conference League with a 3-2 aggregate loss to Armenian side Noah.
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