Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United in transfer from Brighton

Published On 25 Aug 202625 Aug 2026.

Key points

• Baleba was born in Douala, Cameroon, but began his professional career in 2022 with French Ligue 1 side Lille.
• Baleba, who follows fellow midfielders Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to Old Trafford this summer, has created 16 appearances for Cameroon.
• Manchester United have signed Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from fellow English Premier League club Brighton.
• It is understood that Brighton had been holding out for a accord worth $100m although United are believed to have agreed a 70-million-pound ($95m) transfer fee.
• "Manchester United is pleased to confirm that Carlos Baleba has joined the club, subject to registration, " the 20-time Premier League champions remarked in an official note on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old is the third midfielder signed by the Red Devils during the summer transfer window.

United remarked Baleba signed a agreement until 2031 with the option to extend for a further year, but it did not disclose the value.

It is understood that Brighton had been holding out for a accord worth $100m although United are believed to have agreed a 70-million-pound ($95m) transfer fee. It takes their spending on midfield reinforcements to more than 150 million pounds ($204m) in this window.

Baleba was born in Douala, Cameroon, but began his professional career in 2022 with French Ligue 1 side Lille. The next year, he joined Brighton, where he created 79 starts and registered more than 100 appearances for the Seagulls.

United had been linked with a move for Baleba. This person plays in a defensive role in midfield, last summer and again in the January transfer window.

"Baleba has already established himself as one of the most talented midfielders in the Premier League, " United's statement remarked.

While he additionally ranked fourth-highest for progressive ball carries per 90 minutes, During the 2024/25 season, his combined number of tackles and interceptions was the sixth-highest among midfielders in the league.

"Last season, Baleba played 31 games in the Premier League, ranking in the top eight per cent of players for combined tackles and interceptions as well as the top one per cent for second balls won, helping Brighton & Hove Albion to qualify for the UEFA Conference League."

In practice, the trio of midfield signings by United will support to fill the gap left by Brazil's former Real Madrid star Casemiro. This person has joined Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in the United States.

"It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams, " Baleba remarked.

Playing at Old Trafford is always special, but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour.

"I cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick. His experience and knowledge of the game create him the perfect coach to assist me to reach the highest level."

For now, carlos Baleba joins Manchester United in transfer from Brighton remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.