Andre Onana has signed for Manchester United and you might expect his new squad number would be a foregone conclusion, with the number one shirt vacant.
Well, the Cameroon international goalkeeper has sprung a surprise. Andre Onana will wear the number 24 shirt.
Manchester United announced this news with the number one shirt remaining vacant.
Onana is currently on his way to the USA to join up with his teammates for pre-season tour.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24
Why Andre Onana will wear 24
Andre Onana will wear the 24 squad number as it is the one he has worn during his club career so far at Ajax and at Inter Milan.
This also allows him to create his own path at Manchester United, evading comparisons with former numbers ones.
The number 24 was most recently worn by Timothy Fosu-Mensah, and prior to that, current technical director Darren Fletcher.
It was also worn by club legends Paul Scholes and David Beckham earlier in their careers, along with Wes Brown.
Andre Onana statement on signing for Manchester United
Andre Onana told club media: “To join Manchester United is an incredible honour and I have worked hard all my life to get to this moment, overcoming many obstacles along the way.
“Walking out at Old Trafford to defend our goal and contribute to the team will be another amazing experience. This is the start of a new journey for me, with new teammates, and new ambitions to fight for.
“Manchester United has a long history of incredible goalkeepers, and I will now give everything to create my own legacy in the coming years. I am excited by the opportunity to work again with Erik ten Hag, and I can’t wait to play my part in the success I know he is determined to deliver at this great football club.”